NORMANDY 


W.R..A  WILSON 


»•  HOOKB 
I4O  PACIFIC  AVENUE 
I  GN<2  BEACH.  CAUP. 


A  Rose  of  Normandy 


L 


"THE  CURTAINS   SUDDENLY  PARTED  AND   HE   SAW   BEFORE   HIM  THE 
SMILING   FACE  OF  A  YOUNG  GIRL" 


A  Rose  0^  Normandy 


By 
William  R.  A.  Wilson 


With  a  Frontispiece  from  a  Drawing 
by  Ch.  Grunwald 


Boston 
Little,  Brown,  and  Company 

1905 


Copyright, 
BY  LITTLE,  BROWN,  AND  COMPANY. 


All  rights  rtscrvtd 

Published  April,  1903 


Iprintera 
S.  J.  PARKHILL  &  Co.,  BOSTON-,  U.  S.  A. 


SRLF 
URL 

5140083 


STo  tije 

OF   ONE 

WHO  GAVE  ME  IN  UNSTINTED   MEASURE  THE  PRICELESS 
BLESSING  OF   HER   LOVE; 

OF    ONE 

WHO  WAS  THE  CHIEFEST  AMONG  TEN  THOUSAND; 

OF   ONE 

WHO  WAS  ALTOGETHER   LOVELY  — 


Contents 


CHAPTER    ONE 

PAGE 

In  which  a  prisoner  escapes  and  a  soliloquy  is  interrupted          I 

CHAPTER   TWO 

Shows  how  an  officer  of  the  guard  almost  makes  a  discov 
ery,  and  the  firm  of  Tonti  and  Company  is  formed  .  14 

CHAPTER    THREE 

In  which  the  firm  admits  another  partner  and  an  ancient 

document  reveals  much  wisdom 34 

CHAPTER    FOUR 

Shows  how  mine  host  of  "  The  Striped  Ass  "  treated  his 
guests,  and  how  his  punishment  was  made  to  fit  his 
crime 46 

CHAPTER    FIVE 

Deals  with  a  feast,  and  shows  how  Tonti  meets  with 

Beauty  and  the  Beast  and  gets  a  blow  for  his  pains       6z 

CHAPTER    SIX 

A  dark  chapter,  dealing  with  a  dark  night,  dark  men,  and 

dark  errands  .  8 1 


viii  Contents. 


CHAPTER    SEVEN 

PAGE 
Containing  scenes  chiefly  feminine  that  tend  to  prove  that 

pity  is  akin  to  love 97 

CHAPTER    EIGHT 

Devoted  to  Natural  History,  exhibiting  the  life  of  court 
butterflies,  a  glimpse  at  the  King  butterfly,  and  how  a 
spider  spins  his  web 114 

CHAPTER    NINE 
Describes  a  roadside  meeting,  a  warning,  and  a  flight      .      132 

CHAPTER    TEN 

Wherein    a   sea   is   crossed,  a   secret   is   discovered,    and 

Tonti  receives  a  blow 146 

CHAPTER    ELEVEN 

Wherein  are  met  a  New  World,  an  ally  in  high  places, 

and  a  tempest  in  a  teapot 164 

CHAPTER    TWELVE 

Devoted  to  secret  service,  showing  that  walls  and  other 

inanimate  objects  often  have  ears 1 80 

CHAPTER    THIRTEEN 
Devoted  to  Cupid  and  his  archery  practice        .      .     .      .      191 

CHAPTER    FOURTEEN 
In  which  a  trap  is  sprung,  but  the  mouse  escapes  .      .      .      200 


Contents.  ix 


CHAPTER    FIFTEEN 

PAGE 

Wherein  Frontenac  assumes  the  role  of  guardian,  and  two 

familiar  faces  reappear 2 1 1 

CHAPTER    SIXTEEN 

Relates    the    events  through  which  a  bird  in  the   hand 

became  two  in  the  bush 223 

CHAPTER    SEVENTEEN 

Shows  how  closely  the  fortunes  of  love  and  war  may  be 

interwoven 231 

CHAPTER    EIGHTEEN 

Deals  mainly  with  a  game  of  chance  in  which  Frontenac 

shuffles  the  cards 242 

CHAPTER    NINETEEN 

In  which  the  perils  of  the  deep  are  met,  and  Pompon 

climbs  a  tree 259 

CHAPTER    TWENTY 

In  which  some  discoveries  are  made 274 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-ONE 

Wherein    a    battle    is    fought    and    Akiesko     comes     off 

victorious 289 


x  Contents. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-TWO 

PAGE 

Showing   how   Miron   held  a  good   hand,   but  Pompon 

played  the  ace  of  trumps 299 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-THREE 

Contains   some   happiness,  a   compact,   a   vision,   and  a 

calamity 312 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-FOUR 

Shows  that  the  life  of  an  explorer  is  far  from  tame      .      .      324 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-FIVE 

In  which  Pompon  brings  harmony  out  of  discord  .      .      .      336 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-SIX 

Contains  an  account  of  the  attack  on  the  fort,  and  how 

Pompon  redeemed  his  pledge 352 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-SEVEN 

The  end  is  reached,  and  Tonti  comes  into  his  own  .     .     .      366 


A  Rose  of  Normandy 


Chapter  One 

IN   WHICH   A    PRISONER   ESCAPES   AND   A 
SOLILOQUY   IS   INTERRUPTED 

THE  sun  shone  fair  in  France  one  bright 
June  day  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1678, 
and  the  thirty-fifth  of  the  reign  of  that 
Louis    whom    men    called    "  Great."     And    no 
where  was  the  sunlight  fairer  than  in  the  capital 
city,   where    the   presence   of  a   conquering    and 
pleasure-loving    monarch     and    his    bewildering 
court    attracted    the    bravest    and    gayest    of  all 
Europe. 

The  streets  of  Paris  resounded  on  the  self-same 
day  to  the  prancing  and  pawing  of  war-horses, 
the  gay  fanfare  of  trumpets  announcing  the  re 
turn  of  a  victorious  General  from  the  Nether 
lands,  or  the  rumbling  of  the  great  coach  of  state 
as  the  King  himself  hurried  on  to  take  part  in 
some  fantastic  dance  or  ballet  at  the  Palace, 
stopping,  perchance,  at  the  cathedral  door  to  offer 
thanks  with  all  true  loyal  subjects  and  join  in 


2  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

some  great  "  Te  Deum  "  sung  in  honor  of  an 
other  battle  won. 

The  Council  of  State  at  their  sovereign's  com 
es 

mand  voted  millions  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
foreign  war  and  tens  of  millions  for  the  erection 
of  another  marvellous  palace  or  chateau,  with 
equal  interest  or  indifference.  The  industries  of 
war  and  peace  alike  were  quickened.  With  simi 
lar  zeal  did  the  factories  turn  out  their  quota  of 
swords  and  guns,  cannon  and  ball,  or  lace  of  the 
fairest,  silks  of  gossamer  texture  and  daintiest 
hue,  and  tapestries  almost  beyond  price.  Men 
left  obscure  provincial  birthplaces  to  appear  sud 
denly  upon  the  court  horizon  as  royal  favorites 
and  bask  in  that  uncertain  sunshine,  whilst  other 
men,  equally  unknown,  left  home  and  fireside  to 
go  into  foreign  lands  to  fight  for  their  King  and 
the  extension  of  his  realm ;  still  others  stayed 
behind  and  toiled,  extorting  from  the  soil  the 
heavy  taxes  that  the  Minister  of  Finance  wrested 
from  them  in  turn. 

Amidst  such  confusion  the  ordinary  affairs  of 
life  and  State  went  on  as  though  naught  but  the 
humdrum  plans  of  a  peaceful  nation  were  afoot. 
People  lived  and  died  a  natural  death  (occasion 
ally)  ;  they  ate,  drank,  and  slept  through  it  all. 
The  dead  were  buried  and  the  living  blest,  much 
the  same  as  they  had  been  since  first  the  church 
spire  and  the  dark-robed  priest  had  superseded 


A  Prisoner  Escapes  3 

the  old  savage  faiths.  Even  the  millstones  of 
Justice  (that  is  to  say,  the  King)  ground  silently 
and  with  their  accustomed  fineness,  while  the  axe, 
the  rope,  and  the  wheel  did  their  kind  work  in 
sending  prisoners  of  State  to  a  country  where 
lettres  de  cachet  were  unknown. 

His  Most  Christian  Majesty  believed  in  the 
deterrent  effect  the  sight  of  the  final  act  in  the 
drama  of  a  criminal's  life  had  upon  all  good  citi 
zens.  He  likewise  wished  at  times  that  his 
people,  even  those  of  the  lower  classes,  should 
be  amused.  Accordingly  he  achieved  these  two 
ends  by  frequent  public  executions  in  the  Place 
de  la  Greve.  This,  being  a  commodious  square 
hard  by  the  Pont  Notre  Dame,  was  well  adapted 
to  a  large  audience,  while  the  balcony  of  the 
Hotel  de  Ville  at  its  southern  end  afforded  an 
excellent  pedestal  on  which  the  King  and  the 
beauties  and  gallants  of  his  court  could  show 
themselves  whenever  an  execution  of  especial 
importance  took  place. 

On  the  day  with  which  this  narrative  opens  the 
morning  had  worn  away  until  the  sun  with  ver 
tical  rays  beat  down  upon  the  heads  of  the  spec 
tators.  There  had  been  three  instructive  and 
successful  executions  thus  far.  The  first  wretch 
was  broken  on  the  wheel,  the  second  hanged,  and 
the  third  torn  to  pieces  by  horses.  The  King 
and  court  party  in  the  gallery  had  departed  after 


4  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

repeated  half-suppressed  expressions  of  ennui  at 
the  end  of  this  third  act,  and  there  remained  but 
one  poor  devil  of  a  nameless  fellow  to  be  dis 
patched  by  the  knife. 

A  raised  platform  occupied  the  centre  of  the 
square.  About  it  was  drawn  up  a  double  line  of 
soldiers,  some  armed  with  halberds,  others  with 
muskets,  who  kept  the  people  from  crowding  too 
near.  From  the  scaffold  a  narrow  lane  was  kept 
open  by  a  company  of  archers  to  a  cart,  on  which 
the  condemned  had  ridden  to  the  scene  of  their 
execution,  and  on  which  they  awaited  in  silence 
their  turn.  Every  other  available  inch  was  oc 
cupied  by  a  dense  mass  of  perspiring,  jostling 
humanity,  who  good-humoredly  enjoyed  the  scene, 
despite  the  heat  and  press.  The  windows  of  all 
the  houses  fronting  on  the  square  were  filled 
with  spectators,  while  the  doors  of  the  shops  and 
cabarets  were  blocked  with  benches,  on  which  tip 
toed  the  curious  and  interested  customers  and 
shopkeepers. 

The  waits  occasioned  by  the  removal  of  the 
still  palpitating  remains  of  each  criminal  and  the 
preparation  for  the  next  were  enlivened  by  jests 
passed  between  the  people  and  the  soldiery. 
Occasionally  a  joker  would  carry  his  merriment 
too  far,  as  when  he  cut  off  some  lace  or  trimming 
from  the  coat  of  one  of  the  guards ;  then  he  and 
his  neighbors  would  receive  a  halberd  crashing 


A  Prisoner  Escapes  5 

against  their  heads,  or  its  handle  pushed  against 
their  ribs,  with  no  playful  force. 

It  was  to  be  noticed  by  a  careful  observer  that 
neither  pity  nor  concern  was  anywhere  manifested 
for  the  three  already  executed,  even  though  one 
was  of  comparatively  high  rank.  He  had,  in  the 
collection  of  the  taxes,  made  the  fatal  mistake  of 
trying  to  cheat  the  King  as  well  as  the  commons. 
But  as  the  preparations  went  on  for  the  dispatch 
of  the  fourth  and  last,  an  uneasy  feeling  spread 
about  among  the  throng.  Although  few  knew 
accurately  his  crime  or  even  name,  yet  many  felt 
him  entitled  to  their  sympathy  because  he  was 
not  a  noble  whom  they  could  admire  for  his  mag 
nificence  and  hate  for  his  selfish  arrogance,  but 
one  of  themselves,  a  man  of  the  people,  who  for 
some  unknown  cause  had  incurred  the  displeas 
ure  of  the  King  or  one  of  his  creatures. 

On  the  outskirts  of  the  crowd,  not  far  from  the 
cart  on  which  the  remaining  unfortunate  sat,  stood 
a  small  group  of  spectators  conversing  in  tones  so 
low  that  the  near-by  soldiers  could  not  hear  them. 

"  What  think  you,  friend  Picon,"  said  a  mus 
cular  fish-wife  to  a  swarthy  butcher  fresh  from  the 
neighboring  shambles,  "has  it  come  about  that 
M.  le  Ministre  Colbert  can  arrest,  condemn,  and 
behead  whom  he  pleases  ?  " 

The  man  addressed  scowled  at  the  armed  men 
guarding  the  prisoner,  and  muttered :  "  Devil 


6  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

take  them  !  "  Then  turning,  he  replied  in  a  low 
guttural  voice :  "  They  say  yon  fellow  is  no 
criminal,  but  has  been  hounded  to  the  galleys 
and  the  Bastille,  and  from  the  Bastille  to  the 
block  by  the  hate  of  my  Lord  Colbert." 

"  To  think,"  the  fish-wife  resumed,  "  that  this 
Colbert,  who  was  nothing  but  a  wine  merchant's 
son,  should  be  able  to  worm  his  way  into  the 
secrets  of  my  Lord  the  late  Cardinal,  so  that  he 
recommended  him  on  his  deathbed  to  His  Maj 
esty  !  Mon  Dieu !  It  is  bad  enough  to  have 
them  that  are  born  lords  to  rule  over  us,  but 
when  such  an  upstart  as  this  Colbert  —  faugh  ! 
I  spit  upon  him." 

"  Sh  !  not  so  loud,"  interrupted  a  tanner,  who 
made  up  the  third  member  of  the  group.  "  My 
Lord  Colbert's  ears  are  sharp  to  hear  every  word 
said  against  him,  and  his  arms  are  long  to  reach 
for  those  he  wishes  to  silence.  But  I  agree  with 
you  that  he  is  a  villain.  You  remember  how  he 
betrayed  Fouquet,  who  was  always  the  poor  man's 
friend,  and  then  took  his  place  as  Minister  ?  Ah  ! 
look  you,  they  are  all  ready  now  for  their  victim. 
Sacre  !  How  I  should  like  to  knock  the  heads 
of  a  couple  of  those  soldiers  together  and  thus 
make  a  way  for  him  to  escape."  And  so  saying, 
he  brought  his  giant  fists  together  with  sufficient 
force  to  crush  two  human  skulls  had  they  been 
in  his  grasp. 


A  Prisoner  Escapes  7 

While  this  conversation  had  been  going  on 
and  the  condemned  man  was  being  helped  down 
from  the  cart,  the  sun's  brightness  gradually 
lessened,  and  more  than  one  spectator  involun 
tarily  looked  up  to  see  what  cloud  obscured  the 
light.  But  there  was  nothing  visible  in  the  clear 
sky.  Yet  little  by  little  did  the  noon-time  bril 
liancy  fade  away,  as  though  the  eternal  fires  were 
being  quenched.  Soon  others  noticed  it,  and 
craned  their  necks  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
cause  of  the  sudden  change.  They  too,  seeing 
no  cloud,  became  uneasy,  until  their  fear  spread 
through  the  crowd,  making  it  surge  to  and  fro. 
A  few  of  the  women  crossed  themselves  and 
others  muttered  a  prayer.  "  Le  bon  Dieu  is 
angry,"  some  one  said.  "  This  man  must  be 
innocent,"  another  shouted. 

Through  it  all  the  soldiers  never  faltered,  but 
went  steadily  on  with  the  preparations  for  the 
final  execution.  The  prisoner  had  started  up 
the  human  lane  towards  the  scaffold.  Half-way 
to  his  destination,  he  was  halted  while  the  lines 
of  soldiery  who  had  been  driven  together  by 
the  pressure  of  the  multitude  forced  the  people 
back.  No  one  but  the  soldiers  watched  the 
prisoner,  who,  after  a  glance  at  the  darkening  sky, 
smiled  grimly,  then  watched  keenly  the  turn  of 
events. 

The  light  did  not  increase,  but  became  more 


8  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  more  obscure,  and  that  nameless  terror  which 
often  seizes  a  great  multitude  and  forces  them  to 
attempt  to  flee  manifested  itself.  Only  one  more 
terrifying  element  was  needed  to  change  the  as 
sembly  into  a  panic-stricken,  stampeding  mob. 
Nor  was  this  wanting,  for  the  wall  of  a  building 
that  was  being  dismantled  on  one  side  of  the 
square,  now  occupied  by  a  clinging  crowd  of 
spectators,  suddenly  fell  with  a  crash  and  a  great 
cloud  of  dust. 

Back  and  away  from  this  new  source  of  terror 
the  crowd  turned  as  the  shrieks  of  the  injured 
arose,  adding  to  the  weirdness  of  the  scene,  and 
the  square  was  filled  with  a  wild,  mad,  fear-crazed 
crush  of  human  beings.  They  cared  naught  for 
soldiers  or  executioners  now,  but  rushed  toward 
the  various  streets  leading  out  from  the  square, 
breaking  through  the  lines  of  guards  as  though 
they  had  been  men  of  straw,  each  filled  with  but 
one  desire,  that  of  leaving  the  accursed  spot. 

During  the  confusion,  the  prisoner,  with  an  eye 
alert  for  any  opportunity  to  escape,  was  partly 
torn,  partly  dodged  away  from  his  captors,  and 
was  soon  lost  in  the  tumult.  As  he  was  borne 
along,  he  passed  a  herculean  butcher  and  a  fish 
wife  struggling  in  the  jam.  The  latter,  with  a 
smile  of  satisfaction,  ran  the  keen  edge  of  a  small 
knife  over  the  cords  that  bound  the  fugitive's 
hands,  and  he  was  free. 


A  Prisoner  Escapes  9 

High  up  in  the  most  weather-stained  of  a  row 
of  gable-ended  houses  that  overlooked  the  square 
wherein  the  above  scene  of  terror  was  enacted 
sat  a  man.  His  room  was  on  the  top  floor 
under  the  eaves,  whose  side  walls  were  formed 
by  the  slanting  roof.  Two  windows  admitted 
both  light  and  air  ;  one  of  them  opened  upon 
the  square,  the  other  upon  the  Rue  de  la  Tanerie. 
The  only  furniture  besides  the  bed  was  a  table, 
three  chairs  of  rough  wood  and  fantastically 
carved,  and  a  small-sized  cupboard,  half  ward 
robe,  that  occupied  most  of  the  space  at  one  end 
of  the  room. 

On  the  table  rested  a  glove  and  a  sword,  such  as 
the  gentlemen  of  the  court  wore,  while  a  plumed 
hat  lay  on  the  floor  where  it  had  been  carelessly 
dropped.  The  sole  occupant  of  the  room  was 
seated  in  the  largest  chair  beside  the  table.  He 
was  about  eight  and  twenty,  clad  in  an  attire  that 
proclaimed  him  to  be  at  once  the  soldier  and 
the  courtier,  and  his  clear  eye  and  cheek  bronzed 
by  many  a  league  of  ocean  wind  and  Southern 
sun  betrayed  a  man  not  long  returned  from  active 
service.  A  little  above  the  average  in  height  he 
was,  but  straight-limbed  and  supple  as  a  Grecian 
athlete ;  a  man  of  muscle  and  sinew,  yet  without 
an  ounce  of  superfluous  fat.  His  long  black  hair 
clustered  about  his  wrists  as  he  sat  with  elbows 
upon  the  table,  leaning  his  head  upon  his  hands, 


io  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

one  of  which  was  gloved.  Something  more  than 
the  tan  of  sun  and  air  darkened  his  cheeks,  while 
the  black  eyes,  the  curved  nostrils  that  expanded 
and  contracted  as  he  breathed,  and  the  scorn 
ful  lip,  all  proclaimed  him  to  be  other  than  a 
Frenchman. 

His  attitude  was  one  of  dejection  and  dis 
appointment,  yet  in  his  eye  was  that  inextinguish 
able  glimmer  of  hope  that  lightens  up  the  face 
of  every  true  soldier  after  the  first  shock  of  a 
battle  against  great  odds  passes  away.  It  soon 
spread,  and  from  a  glimmer  it  became  a  glow 
that  overran  his  countenance,  until  he  burst 
forth  into  a  laugh,  and,  raising  his  head  and 
leaning  back,  he  spoke  aloud  to  his  sword,  which 
he  took  up  in  his  ungloved  hand  : 

"  Ma  foi !  mon  brave^  here  we  are  at  the  bot 
tom  of  the  ladder  again  whence  we  started  ten 
years  ago.  What  matters  it,  though !  When 
the  King  needs  us  again,  he  will  remember  us. 
If  there  be  an  expedition  against  the  Mediter 
ranean  pirates  undertaken,  it  will  be  a  summons 
for  Captain  Henri  de  Tonti  to  attend  His  Maj 
esty's  convenience  for  the  purpose  of  fitting  out 
and  leading  that  expedition.  And  there  will  be 
a  year  or  two  of  fighting,  and  a  wound,  with  a 
plaster  to  patch  it  up  with  when  we  return  in  the 
shape  of  another  order  on  the  Treasury  for  three 
hundred  livres,  and  the  promise  of  a  place  in  the 


A  Prisoner  Escapes  1 1 

Guards —  and  then,  forgetfulness.  Or  perhaps 
't  will  be  land  duty  against  the  half-drunk  Dutch 
men.  Then  it 's  powder  and  bang  at  a  distance, 
and  sword  thrust  and  parry  when  we  have  charged 
the  works,  like  this,  en  garde!  —  or  this  —  or 
that  —  or  that — mon  Dieu  !  avec  mes  compliments. 
Messieurs"  and,  springing  to  his  feet,  he  fenced 
with  an  imaginary  adversary,  now  parrying,  now 
thrusting,  until,  ending  with  a  fierce  onslaught 
that  pierced  his  enemy  to  the  heart,  he  bowed 
mockingly  and  sat  down. 

"  Ma  foi  I  then  it 's  powder  and  wigs,  slim 
waist  and  curved  ankle  when  we  return,  for  noth 
ing  pleases  me  more  than  to  see  again  a  French 
woman  after  a  foreign  campaign.  Those  stupid 
Dutch  oxen,  with  their  big  eyes  and  clumsy  feet, 
may  please  Mynheer,  but  —  cuistre  I  none  of 
them  for  me.  What  right  have  I,  a  battered 
soldier  of  fortune  with  neither  penny  nor  power, 
to  talk  of  women,  waists,  or  wigs,  when  I  have 
but  a  single  louis  d'or  between  me  and  the  street ! 
Come,  mon  cceur^  and  let  us  face  the  situation. 
My  rent  is  not  due  for  a  week  come  Tuesday  : 
that  will  take  half;  with  the  remainder  I  can  get 
bread  and  wine  enough  to  last  for  that  period. 
Dame!  ten  days  are  sufficient  in  which  to  con 
quer  a  province,  marry  a  widow  with  fat  money 
bags,  or  run  into  some  lucky  adventure  that  will 
give  me  gold  enough  to  live  like  a  prince  for 


12  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

another  month.  But,  •peste  I  how  dark  it  grows, 
and  yet  it  is  only  midday"  —  and  going  to  the 
window  overlooking  the  square,  he  glanced 
anxiously  about  him.  "  Ha !  another  execution 
is  afoot,"  he  continued  to  himself  half  audibly. 
"  Some  petty  noble  who  has  displeased  the  King, 
or  a  poor  farmer  rebelling  against  Colbert's  taxes. 
An  eclipse  too  !  That  augers  well  for  me.  'T  was 
an  eclipse  that  I  watched  just  before  my  appointed 
captaincy  at  Messina.  Again,  the  shooting  stars 
appeared  the  last  night  of  my  captivity  after  Li- 
bisso  and  warned  me  of  my  release.  It  means  a 
change  of  fortune;  and,  as  any  change  can  but  be 
for  the  better,  I  welcome  its  arrival.  Mordi!  but 
the  crowd  is  frightened ;  like  the  sheep  I  used  to 
see  outside  Naples  when  a  boy,  as  the  thunder 
startled  them  from  their  grazing  —  Ha !  they 
break  through  the  lines  of  guards  —  Cor  Dieu  ! 
—  the  prisoner  escapes  —  he  flees  —  what  fools 
and  cowards  to  go  mad  over  a  falling  wall  and  a 
blinking  sun." 

And  speaking  thus  he  turned  away  from  the 
window,  threw  himself  down  into  a  chair  placed 
in  front  of  the  other  casement,  which  he  opened, 
and  sat  half  dreamily  watching  the  still  darken 
ing  sky.  .  .  .  The  moments  passed.  .  .  .  At 
length  he  roused  himself,  "  Per  Dio  !  "  he  mur 
mured.  "  My  poor  father  needed  sorely  some 
such  portent  as  this  when  he  gained  the  Car- 


A  Prisoner  Escapes  I  3 

dinal's  ear,  for  well  he  believed  that  Fortune 
favored  him,  when,  lo !  disgrace,  imprisonment, 
and  I  know  not  but  that  death  itself  became  sud 
denly  his  portion.  .  .  .  Mille  tonnerres !  '  He 
sprang  up  with  a  cry  of  amazement,  as  he  saw 
the  opening  of  the  window  suddenly  obstructed 
by  some  opaque  body.  By  the  time  he  stood 
upright,  this  body  resolved  itself  into  a  pair  of 
human  legs,  that,  after  dangling  a  moment  in  the 
air,  found  lodgement  on  the  sill,  and  before  the 
young  soldier  could  move  or  utter  another  sound, 
the  figure  of  a  man  descended  into  the  room  and 
stood  before  him. 


Chapter   Two 


SHOWS  HOW  AN  OFFICER  OF  THE  GUARD 
ALMOST  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY,  AND  THE 
FIRM  OF  TONTI  AND  COMPANY  IS  FORMED 

THERE  was  good  need  of  Tonti's  sur 
prise,  for  the  suddenness  of  the  appa 
rition,  its  means  of  entrance,  together 
with  the  grotesqueness  of  facial  expression  visi 
ble,  were  all  calculated  to  startle  even  the  bravest 
of  soldiers.  The  figure  was  that  of  a  man  a 
little  over  five  feet  in  height,  whose  age  might 
have  been  anywhere  between  thirty  and  forty- 
five,  clad  in  the  black  clothes  that  only  the 
condemned  wear  on  their  way  to  execution. 
His  features  were  small  and  sharp,  with  a  look 
of  mingled  cunning  and  resoluteness.  In  places 
the  skin  was  disfigured  with  the  marks  of  small 
pox  that  in  some  lights  seemed  to  extend  them 
selves  over  the  entire  face.  The  scars  above  and 
below  the  eyes  were  so  plentiful  that  in  their 
healing  they  had  apparently  drawn  down  the 
lower  and  raised  the  upper  lids,  so  as  to  present 
the  wild  staring  eyes  of  a  madman.  The  mouth 
was  large  and  of  plebeian  shape,  and  the  lower 

14 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      1 5 

jaw,  seeming  to  hang  like  a  half-shut  door, 
revealed  three  glistening  fangs  that  resembled 
more  those  of  a  wolf  than  the  teeth  of  a  human 
being,  while  saliva  dripped  incessantly  from  the 
corners  of  the  mouth  down  the  chin.  The  ears, 
of  unusual  size  originally,  had  been  clipped  so 
that  only  the  lower  two-thirds  remained.  A 
scar,  starting  between  the  eyes  at  the  root  of  the 
nose,  ran  upward  until  it  was  lost  in  the  tangled 
masses  of  his  reddish-brown  hair.  His  eyes, 
which  were  the  most  remarkable  feature  of  all, 
in  addition  to  their  stare  were  of  that  rare  and 
curious  shade  of  gray  which  changed  in  expres 
sion  according  to  the  mood  of  the  owner;  then 
they  seemed  to  gleam  alternately  with  the  mad 
fires  of  the  hopeless  maniac,  and  again  with  the 
all-but-quenched  rays  of  reason  of  an  idiot.  All 
of  these  physical  peculiarities  were  accentuated 
by  the  creature,  as  he  stood  with  arms  akimbo, 
feet  well  apart,  eyes  almost  starting  from  their 
sockets,  tongue  protruding,  and  ears  slowly 
moving  up  and  down,  while  a  most  diabolical 
grin  overspread  the  greater  portion  of  his  face. 

As  Tonti  stood  gazing  at  the  strange  being, 
he  at  first  involuntarily  made  the  sign  of  the 
cross  in  the  air,  as  though  to  exorcise  this  devil- 
child.  But  soon  recovering  himself,  he  burst 
into  a  hearty  laugh. 

"  Mordioux  !  "    he    cried.       "  What    have    we 


1 6  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

here  ?  Some  gargoyle  strayed  from  his  post  on 
the  stone  corners  of  Notre  Dame  ;  or  is  it  a 
new  court  jester ;  or  one  of  the  Gadarene  swine 
that  became  possessed  of  devils  the  good  Abbe 
Renaudot  told  me  of?  Ha,  ha  !  or  best  of 
all,  one  of  the  progeny  of  that  hell-hound 
Mazarin  or  my  Lord  Colbert  —  ho/a!  none  of 
that,  or  out  of  the  window  you  shall  go  as  you 
came,  only  head  first." 

This  last  exclamation  was  induced  by  a  sudden 
movement  of  the  fantastic  creature  before  him. 
During  the  first  part  of  Tonti's  speech  the  little 
man  had  stood  playing  the  idiot,  but  as  soon 
as  Colbert's  name  was  mentioned,  he  suddenly 
changed  his  expression.  The  gray  eyes  lost 
their  look  of  madness  and  gleamed  with  a  light 
of  intense  hatred.  Suddenly  drawing  a  small 
dagger  from  his  person,  he  threw  it  in  the  face 
of  Tonti,  who  stood  about  three  paces  off.  The 
soldier  had  often  seen  that  look  in  an  adversary's 
eye  in  duel  and  battle,  and  he  knew  well  it  por 
tended  some  sudden  action.  Instinctively  he 
raised  his  hand  to  ward  off  the  impending 
danger,  as  he  saw  the  movement  of  the  man's 
arm.  The  weapon  glanced  through  the  air,  and 
struck  the  uplifted  palm  of  his  left  hand.  In 
stead  of  piercing  it,  as  one  would  have  expected 
from  the  force  with  which  it  was  thrown,  it 
stopped  with  a  metallic  clink  and  fell  with 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      17 

blunted  point  to  the  floor.  Quick  as  thought, 
the  young  soldier  sprang  to  his  sword,  seized  it, 
and  came  at  his  treacherous  visitor,  who  stood 
awaiting  his  approach  without  making  the  slight 
est  movement.  Tonti  presented  the  point  against 
his  breast,  exclaiming : 

"Now  then,  my  fine  feHow,  if  you  have  any 
more  such  compliments  to  give  me,  kindly  do  it 
now,  and  I  shall  show  you  in  return  how  we 
spit  a  chicken  for  roasting  in  my  native  town." 

The  man  glared  at  him  a  moment,  then  with  a 
sudden  effort  reorganized  his  features  completely. 
This  was  as  much  of  a  surprise  to  Tonti  as  the 
attack  had  been,  for  in  an  instant  the  protruding 
tongue  and  fangs  disappeared,  the  eyes  became 
less  prominent  and  lost  their  wildness,  and  the 
whole  man  was  changed;  even  the  scars  seemed 
to  lose  their  whiteness  and  become  more  like  the 
surrounding  skin.  A  supplicating  look  came 
into  his  face,  and  as  Tonti's  sword-point  was 
dropped  in  his  amazement,  the  man  fell  on  his 
knees,  murmuring  :  "  Pardon  !  Pardon  !  " 

"  Get  up,  you  rogue,  or  I  shall  turn  you 
over  to  the  authorities  for  an  escaped  prisoner," 
was  Tonti's  reply,  as  he  stepped  back  with 
hand  leaning  on  his  weapon,  so  as  to  have  it 
ready  for  another  outbreak.  "Why  and  how 
do  you  come  here,  who  are  you,  and  what  do 
you  want  ? " 


i  8  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

The  man  arose  and  stood  facing  him  with  a 
respectful  air,  as  he  replied  : 

"  Why  do  I  come  ?  A  cornered  mouse  makes 
scant  choice  of  holes.  How  ?  Over  the  roofs. 
My  name  ?  Jean  Pompon  Comarin,  a  votre  ser 
vice,  Monsieur ;  usually  called  Pompon  for  short 
by  my  intimates,  a  privilege  I  gladly  extend  to 
you."  (A  muttered  "  Peste !  much  I  want  of 
your  privileges "  from  Tonti.)  "  My  present 
residence  is  an  unknown  quantity  ;  for  the  past 
six  years  one  of  the  lowermost  dungeons  of  the 
Bastille.  My  wants?  Simple:  merely  food  and 
a  hiding-place.  I  sought  first  to  frighten  you, 
thinking  you  to  be  as  big  a  fool  as  those  simple- 
minded  children  out  there."  He  pointed  out 
the  window  to  the  square  where  the  crowd  had 
been.  "  Then,  thinking  you  were  an  ally  of 
Colbert,  I  sought  to  kill  you  ;  finding  you  neither, 
I  wish  to  be  your  friend." 

For  a  moment  Tonti  stared  at  his  companion, 
then,  glancing  at  his  outstretched  hand  and 
impudent  smile,  he  placed  his  sword  on  the  table, 
fell  into  his  chair,  and,  lying  back  with  one  leg 
thrown  over  its  arm,  laughed  until  the  tears 
blinded  him  and  coursed  down  his  cheeks. 

"  Venire  Saint  Grls !  but  I  would  not  have 
missed  this  exhibition,  no,  not  for  a  thousand 
pistoles.  What  a  face  and  ears  and  teeth  and 
—  cospetto !  in  a  moment  he  is  changed  from  a 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      1 9 

devil  into  a  man.  Then,  too,  his  story  —  ha,  ha  ! 
'  A  cornered  mouse  makes  scant  choice  of  holes,' 
not  badly  spoken.  I  may  call  him  c  Pompon  ' 
if  1  choose;  he  wishes  to  be  my  friend.  I  am 
overwhelmed  with  honors.  But  look  you,  friend 
Pompon,"  here  he  sat  up  and  his  face  became 
sober  as  a  thought  seemed  to  strike  him,  "  do 
you  not  admit  that  you  are  the  prisoner  about 
to  be  executed  that  I  saw  but  a  short  while  back 
carried  along  by  the  frightened  crowd  ?  " 

The  man  nodded. 

"  How  did  you  get  your  wrists  untied  ? " 

"  Some  friendly  hand  cut  the  rope  while  I  was 
struggling  in  my  escape." 

"  And  where  got  you  yon  dagger  that  you 
seemed  so  anxious  to  present  me  with  a  moment 
ago  ? " 

"  The  same  friendly  hand  that  loosed  me 
slipped  it  into  my  palm  as  I  passed  by.  Enter 
ing  an  empty  building,  I  hid  upon  the  roof.  I 
crept  along  to  this  house,  and  looking  over  the 
edge,  I  saw  the  casement  open,  and  hearing  no 
sound,  thought  the  room  was  vacant.  Knowing 
that  as  long  as  darkness  continued  I  would 
escape  detection  by  any  in  the  street  below,  I 
lowered  myself  in." 

"  Well  done,  Pompon  ;  it  seems  that  thou 
hast  something  besides  popping  eyeballs  in  that 
head  of  thine.  Dame!  if  your  plight  does  not 


2o  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

appeal  to  me.  Since  when  have  you  eaten  and 
drunken  ? " 

"  Not  since  yesterday  morning,  Monsieur." 

"  Hein  I  then  you  must  first  of  ail  be  filled. 
Open  yon  door  and  from  the  shelf  get  the  re 
mains  of  a  game-pie  and  that  bottle  of  wine  you 
will  find  there.  'T  is  all  I  have,  but  you  may 
share." 

The  man  obeyed  ;  and  after  draining  a  glass 
of  red  wine,  he  closed  the  closet  door  without 
touching  the  pie,  and,  going  to  the  window,  peered 
forth. 

"  It  is  a  bold  mouse  that  makes  its  nest  in  the 
cat's  ear,"  he  said,  as  he  pointed  to  a  group  of 
soldiers  who  issued  from  a  neighboring  house, 
entered  the  next,  and  disappeared. 

"Mafoi!  a  search  party  !"  ejaculated  Tonti. 
"  'T  is  only  a  short  time  before  they  will  be  here. 
What  shall  I  do  with  you  ?  You  are  too  large 
for  my  closet,  and  there  is  nothing  else  in  which 
you  could  hide." 

"  Perhaps  Monsieur  has  clothes  I  could  dis 
guise  myself  in." 

"  Yes,  I  have  here,"  as  he  opened  a  drawer  in 
the  wardrobe,  "the  garb  of  an  Italian  fisherman 
I  brought  with  me  to  Paris  for  a  servant.  But 
my  money  went;  then  he  did  also." 

"An  empty  purse  frightens  away  friends," 
Pompon  remarked. 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      21 

"  Peste  !  Yes,  't  is  the  way  of  the  world.  Here 
they  are,  but  you  will  need  a  stain  of  some  sort  for 
your  face.  Six  years  in  the  Bastille  does  not  give 
the  tan  that  the  sun  does  on  the  Bay  of  Naples. 
While  you  dress  I  shall  try  and  find  something." 

"  Go  into  the  first  cabaret  on  the  Rue  de  la 
Tanerie,  and  whisper  in  the  ear  of  the  cabare- 
tier  the  words  '  Remember  sixty-four/  tell  him 
what  you  want,  and  he  will  give  it  to  you." 

Tonti  heard  this  with  a  look  of  surprise,  but 
wasted  no  time.  He  soon  returned  with  a  bottle 
of  the  desired  dye.  Pompon  meanwhile  had 
exchanged  his  prison  garments  for  those  of  a 
Neapolitan  peasant.  A  touch  here  and  a  twist 
there  from  Tonti  soon  made  him  right.  The 
stain  which  Pompon  skilfully  applied,  and  a 
red  kerchief  about  his  head  so  arranged  as  to 
hide  in  a  great  measure  the  scar  on  his  forehead, 
altered  his  appearance  so  that  Tonti  himself  was 
astounded. 

"  Mille  tonnerres ! "  he  exclaimed.  "I  defy 
even  your  jailer  to  recognize  you  now.  When 
they  come  you  can  play  the  servant,  busy  in  the 
dark  corner  there  polishing  my  sword.  I  shall 
pretend  that  you  are  dumb.  If  spoken  to,  make 
signs,  and  do  not  be  surprised  if  I  address  you 
in  Italian.  Now  take  your  place  and  we  can 
talk  until  the  party  arrives.  Tell  me  your  story. 
'Twill  help  pass  the  time." 


22  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

So  saying,  he  tipped  his  chair  back,  and  with 
his  feet  on  the  table  looked  the  comfortable 
listener  that  he  was.  Pompon,  after  placing 
the  bottle  of  wine  and  a  glass  near  his  elbow, 
retired  to  the  corner  indicated,  and,  taking  the 
sword,  began  to  rub  it  vigorously. 

"  Since  Monsieur  wishes  it,"  he  began,  "  I 
shall  tell  him  what  I  can.  That  is  small  enough 
return  for  his  saving  my  life  now.  I  was  born 
in  Proven9e  not  far  from  Marseilles.  c  A  child 
born  in  the  new  moon  will  encounter  great  perils 
in  life'  is  a  well-known  Proven9al  saying.  It 
was  surely  true  in  my  case,  for  my  whole  life 
can  be  best  described  in  one  sentence  — '  Out  of 
the  pan,  into  the  coals.'  Not  to  weary  you,  I 
shall  skip  the  early  years  up  to  the  time  I  entered 
the  service  of  M.  Fouquet." 

"The  late  Superintendent  of  Finance?"  in 
terrupted  Tonti  in  some  surprise. 

"  The  same.  For  ten  years  I  was  one  of  his 
confidential  servants.  When  M.  Colbert,  as 
Intendant,  set  about  to  ferret  out  something  by 
which  he  could  cause  M.  Fouquet's  downfall,  I 
was  employed  to  watch  M.  Colbert.  We  played 
a  fine  game  of  it,  and  were  evenly  matched  until 
he  called  to  his  aid  the  whole  machinery  of  the 
Order  of  the  Jesuits.  That  made  him  too  strong 
for  us.  You  know  the  rest;  how  M.  Fouquet 
was  finally  disgraced  and  confined  in  the  fortress 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      23 
at    Pignerol.     Whether    he    be    dead   or    no    (le 

D  x 

bon  Dieu  rest  his  soul  !)  I  know  not.  Colbert 
wished  to  be  revenged  on  me  for  having  thwarted 
his  plans  so  long,  but  could  do  nothing  until  he 
got  one  of  his  creatures,  the  Jesuit  innkeeper 
Feriol,  to  swear  that  I  had  tried  to  induce  him 
to  join  me  in  a  plot  to  murder  the  King.  This 
was  excuse  enough,  so  after  five  years'  imprison 
ment  in  the  Bastille,  I  was  sent  to  the  galleys 
in  the  hope  that  I  would  be  killed.  After  three 
years  of  that  life  I  escaped,  was  recaptured,  and 
sent  back  to  the  Bastille.  That  was  six  years  ago. 
They  tried  their  utmost  there  to  incite  me  to 
violence  so  that  they  could  have  a  new  excuse  to 
execute  me.  They  dared  not  kill  me  without 
some  cause,  for  many  of  M.  Fouquet's  friends 
are  alive  still,  and  wield  sufficient  power  to  make 
it  hazardous  for  even  Colbert  to  attempt  anything 
like  that  without  some  shadow  of  legal  right. 
They  finally  succeeded,  however.  A  fellow- 
prisoner,  a  feeble  old  man  whose  cell  adjoined 
mine,  was  so  ill  treated  before  my  very  eyes  that  I 
grew  reckless  and  killed  his  assailant  in  my  rage 
at  their  inhumanity.  Hence  my  condemnation 
and  attempted  execution  to-day." 

"  Well  done,  mon  brave"  cried  Tonti.  "  Just 
what  I  should  have  done  myself.  A  feeble  old 
man — sangue  di  Dio  !  It  makes  my  blood  boil 
to  think  what  my  poor  old  father  may  be  this 


24  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

moment  suffering.  He  incurred  the  displeasure 
of  the  King  and  Mazarin,  and  was  imprisoned 
while  I  was  away  on  my  first  campaign.  No 
word  can  I  get  of  him.  No,  not  even  the  place 
of  his  imprisonment.  Ah  !  Louis  !  Louis  !  you 
accept  the  oath  of  the  son  to  fight  for  you,  to 
die  for  you,  and  yet  the  nobler  father  lies  lan 
guishing  in  some  slimy  dungeon,  his  services 
unrewarded,  his  very  name  forgot.  Mon  Dieu  ! 
and  if  it  were  not  for  my  oath  and  my  father's 
last  words  to  me  that  in  the  years  to  come  the 
King  would  need  the  service  of  every  loyal  heart 
and  wrist,  I  vow  by  Saint  Denis,  and  the  finger 
bone  of  holy  Sainte  Anne  I  saw  at  Rome,  I 
would  try  my  sword  whether  or  no  it  could 
pierce  the  stone  you  wear  in  place  of  a  heart  — 
Ha  !  I  hear  the  sound  of  soldiers  on  the  stairs. 
To  work,  Pompon,  and  may  Saint  Anthony  of 
Padua  carry  us  through  in  safety  !  " 

So  saying,  he  again   leaned  back   in  his  chair 
and,  with  a  half-filled  glass  in  his  hand,  sang : 
\ 

"  Nous  sommes  comtes  et  barons, 

Nous  par  tons  la  noble  couronne  ; 

De  I1  or,  des  joyaux,  des  fleurons 

De  ricbe  eclat  nous  environne. 

La  fortune  a  suivi  nos  pas 

Ou  done  ?      Ou  done  ?      Vrai,  je  ne  la  vois  pas  ; 
Mais  la  ricbesse,  avec  tous  ses  appas, 

Va  couler  de  cette  bouteille. 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      25 

"  Nous  avons  vaincu  mille  fois 

L1  Espagne  et  la  Flandre  en  ruine  ; 
Fiers  g'en'eraux,  cordons  et  croix 
S'efa/ent  sur  notre  poitrine. 
Tous  les  lauriers  sement  nos  pas 
Sous  les  berceaux  de  cette  treille. 

Ou  done  ?     Ou  done  ?     Prat,  je  ne  la  vois  pas  ; 

Mais  de  la  gloire  un  reve  plein  a"  appas 
Va  couler  de  cette  bouteille" 

A  loud  knock  at  the  door  and  a  gruff  voice 
crying,  "  Open,  in  the  King's  name  !  "  drowned 
the  sound  of  his  words.  He  hesitated,  then 
began  his  song  again.  A  second  call,  more 
peremptory  than  the  first,  followed. 

"  Hola  !  "  he  exclaimed  in  a  loud  tone,  "  I  be 
lieve  I  heard  some  one  at  the  door.  Entrez  / 
whoever  you  are,  and  devil  take  you  for  inter 
rupting  my  song  just  as  I  was  about  to  compose 
another  verse  to  fit  the  last."  And  thus  speaking, 
he  turned  his  head  and  looked  over  his  shoulder 
at  an  officer  of  the  Guards  who  stood  in  the  door 
way,  while  the  heads  of  three  soldiers  were  seen 
behind  him. 

"  Diamine  !  "  he  cried  in  well-feigned  surprise. 
"  Soldiers  !  And  led  by  my  old  friend  Bertrand. 
Sit  here,  mon  ami,  and  tell  me  how  you  came  to 
find  me  out." 

The  officer  addressed,  as  fine  a  specimen  as 
any  in  the  King's  service,  gave  him  his  hand  and 
shook  it  heartily,  laughing  as  he  did  so. 


26  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Mon  Dieu  !  Captain  de  Tonti,  where  did  you 
come  from  ?  You  were  far  from  my  thoughts, 
mon  ami)  when  I  entered.  I  knew  not  that  you 
lodged  here.  I  am  after  different  game.  I  am 
on  a  hangman's  errand.  That  accursed  criminal 
that  escaped  in  the  crowd  in  the  square  below  is 
supposed  to  be  in  hiding  somewhere  near,  and  I 
am  detailed  to  give  all  the  houses  in  the  vicinity 
a  careful  search.  Have  you  seen  or  heard  any 
thing  of  the  rascally  rogue  ?  " 

"  Not   I,"   said  Tonti.     "  Neither    rogue   nor 

'  O 

rascal  have  I  seen  this  day.  No  one  has  been 
here  save  my  servant  Jacopo  and  myself.  We 
two  are  a  jolly  company.  He  has  no  tongue, 
hence  cannot  answer  back  when  I  scold  him. 
Wait  until  I  tell  him  to  fetch  another  glass. 

o 

Ho/a!  Jacopo!"  —  then  he  muttered  an  Italian 
phrase  that  was  unintelligible  to  his  companions. 
At  this  the  supposed  servant  arose,  and,  placing  a 
second  glass  on  the  table,  retired  to  his  corner 
without  uttering  a  sound.  Bertrand  looked  at 
him  sharply,  then  turned  to  Tonti  and  said  : 

"  Where  got  you  yon  pirate  ?  From  one  of 
your  Mediterranean  campaigns?" 

Tonti  noticed  his  glance,  but  said  nothing  until 
he  had  carefully  filled  his  friend's  glass  and  then 
his  own. 

"Afafoi!  You  would  call  him  pirate  in  truth 
did  you  but  know  his  history.  Some  day  I  shall 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company     27 

tell  it  you.  It  is  too  long  to  begin  now.  Dame  ! 
but  I  believe  I  did  hear  some  slight  sound  on  the 
roof  an  hour  or  more  ago.  I  thought  it  but  the 
scurrying  of  rats  ;  they  are  plentiful  enough  here, 
God  knows.  Perchance,  though,  he  whom  you 
seek  is  up  there.  Let  your  men  search  the  roofs 
and  chimneys  while  you  tarry  here  with  me  until 
their  return." 

The  temptation  was  strong,  and  Bertrand,  after 
giving  an  order  to  the  men,  sat  down  with  his 
chair  facing  the  open  door  so  that  he  could  see  if 
any  one  appeared  in  the  passageway. 

""How  like  you  my  lodging?"  cried  Tonti 
merrily.  "  I  regret  that  the  tapestries  and  hang 
ings  are  down  to  be  cleaned  to-day,  while  the 
carved  furniture  has  all  been  sent  to  be  polished 
for  a  levee  I  intend  to  hold  next  week.  Then, 
too,  see  what  a  view  in  two  directions.  Fresh  air 
is  healthful,  my  leech  tells  me,  while  the  higher 
up  one  lives,  the  nearer  heaven.  How  now,  man, 
why  so  sad  ?  "  he  continued,  as  he  saw  that  his 
companion  did  not  enter  into  the  spirit  of  his 
talk. 

"  Ah  me ! "  sighed  the  burly  guardsman. 
"  'T  is  the  same  old  tale  :  a  pretty  face  ;  an  inso 
lent  fellow's  sneer  ;  a  quarrel ;  a  duel." 

"  Mordioux  !  "  exclaimed  Tonti,  in  mock  hor 
ror.  "  Know  you  not  of  the  King's  edict  against 
duelling  ?  For  shame,  a  guardsman  too  !  "  and 


28  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

giving  way  to  a  burst  of  merriment,  he  laughed 
and  beat  the  table  with  his  fist. 

"You  would  have  done  the  same  yourself," 
replied  his  friend  ruefully.  "  Such  features ! 
Such  eyes !  Such  teeth !  What  mischievous 
glances,  and  what  a  slender  waist ! " 

"  Come,  tell  me  all  about  it,"  urged  Tonti,  as 
he  realized  the  necessity  of  keeping  the  guards 
man  interested  until  the  return  of  his  men.  "  Is 
she  court-bred  ?  " 

"  No.  Methinks  a  flower  from  Brittany  or 
Poitou." 

<c  Tall,  fair,  and  gentle-born  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  regal  as  a  queen." 

"  Her  name  ?  " 

<c  I  know  not ;  only  this  :  she  has  the  protec 
tion  of  Mademoiselle,  the  adoration  of  all  true 
men  and  the  hate  and  envy  of  all  the  court 
ladies." 

"  So  wondrous  beautiful,"  mused  Tonti. 
"Then  the  King  will  get  her." 

"  No.  For  Mademoiselle  loves  not  her  royal 
cousin  overmuch  at  present,  and  will  see  to  it 
that  he  gains  no  sight  of  her.  I  have  seen  her 
but  once  myself,  and  that  at  a  distance.  'T  is 
but  few  have  even  that  privilege." 

"  Ah  well,  mon  ami,  you  may  win  her  yet.  — 
Hem  I  here  are  your  men  returning  from  their 
rat-hunt  empty  handed.  Remember,  though,  the 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      29 

proverb  we  have  in  Tuscany  :  c  In  buying  a  horse 
and  in  taking  a  wife,  shut  your  eyes  tight  and 
commend  yourself  to  God.' ' 

Bertrand  laughed,  and  emptying  his  glass,  arose 
and  joined  his  men,  saying  in  parting :  "  Don't 
let  your  pirate  stray  far  from  home,  mon  cher 
Tonti,  or  some  one  will  arrest  him  on  suspicion," 
and  was  soon  clattering  down  the  stairs. 

Tonti  waited  until  they  had  time  to  gain  the 
street  when  he  laughed  gayly  at  his  companion. 

"Parole  d'honneurl  man  cher  Pompon,  but  you 
acted  your  part  to  perfection.  I  shall  recom 
mend  you  to  M.  Racine  for  a  place  in  his  next 
tragedy ;  or  perhaps  the  King  would  have  you 
in  a  masque  or  ballet." 

"  Your  speech,  too,  was  excellent,  Monsieur," 
responded  Pompon.  "  You  know  that  love, 
knavery,  and  necessity  make  men  good  orators. 
But  tell  me  one  thing,  Monsieur.  That  guards 
man  called  you  Captain  de  Tonti.  Is  that  your 
name  ? " 

"  Certainement"  was  the  reply.  "  Henri  de 
Tonti,  captain  in  the  King's  forces  in  his  Italian 
campaigns." 

"  You  spoke  of  a  father  being  in  captivity," 
persisted  his  questioner. 

"Yes,  my  father,  Lorenzo  Tonti,  was  a  Nea 
politan  banker,  but  siding  with  the  people  in  a 
rebellion,  he  was  compelled  to  flee  to  France. 


30  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

He  proposed  to  Mazarin  a  plan  of  insurance  that 
would  fill  the  empty  coffers  of.  the  King,  if  suc 
cessfully  conducted.  The  Cardinal,  anxious  to 
have  all  the  credit  himself,  carried  out  my  father's 
plans  only  in  part.  Failure  was  the  result,  and 
the  anger  of  a  hateful  Minister  and  a  mortified 
King  was  visited  upon  him.  He  was  imprisoned 
while  I  was  away  on  my  first  campaign.  I  have 
searched  and  pleaded  for  information  of  his 
whereabouts  in  vain.  Thinking  I  might  gain 
favor  with  the  King  and  thus  influence  him  to 
release  my  father,  I  have  accepted  post  after  post 
of  danger  and  difficulty  and  been  victorious. 
But  appeals  to  his  justice  and  generosity  have 
alike  been  to  no  purpose.  A  second  trial  was 
made  of  my  father's  scheme  by  Mazarin  before 
his  death.  They  adhered  to  his  plan  strictly  and 
were  successful.  The  King's  treasury  was  full 
enough  to  commence  a  foreign  war;  his  Minister 
was  rewarded ;  the  brain  that  contrived  and  the 
hand  that  planned  were  allowed  to  remain  lan 
guishing  behind  a  prison  door." 

Pompon  listened  attentively  with  a  strange  light 
in  his  eyes.  When  Tonti  had  finished  speaking 
he  said  slowly  and  with  a  tone  of  conviction  : 

"My  gray-haired  prison  friend  was  your 
father." 

"  Ah,  Cielo  !  "  exclaimed  Tonti,  starting  up. 
"The  one  for  whom  you  slew  the  jailer?" 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company     3 1 

"  The  same." 

With  one  leap  Tonti  seized  his  arm  roughly, 
and  eagerly  inquired:  "And  he,  where  is — " 

Pompon  shook  his  head  sadly.  "  It  was  for 
no  purpose.  I  saved  him  from  a  beating,  but 
it  was  too  late.  I  heard  of  his  death  ten  days 
later." 

"  His  death  ?  "  cried  Tonti  in  despair. 

"  Yes ;  starvation." 

All  energy  seemed  to  depart  from  the  young 
man's  frame  and  his  chin  fell  upon  his  chest  in 
grief.  "  My  father  dead  !  "  he  murmured.  "  A 
prison  life  ;  an  outcast's  burial !  How  bitter  the 
wage  for  a  faithful  servant." 

The  first  shock  of  his  emotion  past,  he  raised 
his  head,  while  his  eye  flashed  in  sudden  anger. 

"  Curse  him  !  "  he  cried  in  a  voice  vibrating 
with  passion.  "  Curse  him  !  I  see  it  all  now. 
It  is  not  the  King's  fault  so  much  as  his  Minis 
ter's.  While  Mazarin  lived  my  father  had  no 
hope,  and  when  this  wine  merchant's  son  suc 
ceeded  him,  he  feared  exposure  too,  and  so  left 
him  to  die.  Sangue  di  Dio  !  is  it  not  enough  to 
risk  one's  life  for  a  King  but  that  his  minion 
crushes  one's  heart  also  ?  Attention,  Pompon, 
and  hear  my  words.  Upon  this  cross,  my  sword- 
hilt,  I  swear  by  all  the  saints  of  Italy  and  France, 
by  my  father's  murdered  hand  and  my  mother's 
heart  in  Paradise,  my  sword  shall  never  rest  nor 


32  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

my  arm  grow  weak,  nor  yet  my  brain  cease  con 
triving  against  this  hell-hound,  child  of  Beelze 
bub,  devil's  spawn  —  this  Colbert.  In  court,  in 
camp,  in  the  King's  audience-chamber,  or  on  the 
furthermost  limits  of  Ind,  I  shall  still  oppose  and, 
if  I  may,  kill  him.  My  strength  shall  oppose  his 
strength,  and  my  cunning  his  cunning,  until  one 
of  us  fall.  Till  then  I  keep  my  oath,  Mary  and 
Joseph  and  all  the  angels." 

During  this  speech  Pompon's  features  bespoke 
a  lively  sympathy  and  an  ardent  hatred.  Tonti, 
after  finishing,  stood  silent  a  moment,  with  head 
uplifted  and  sword  raised  in  mid-air.  Then  with 
a  sigh  he  lowered  his  eyes,  and  looked  kindly 
at  his  companion.  "And  you,  mon  cher  Pom 
pon,  how  can  I  thank  or  repay  you  for  your 
service  ? " 

The  man's  eyes  became  a  softened  gray,  as 
though  the  other's  feeling  had  touched  him,  as 
he  replied : 

"  Monsieur  forgets  he  has  cancelled  all  debts 
by  his  aid  to-day.  I  am  still  his  debtor." 

"  Nay,  by  the  rib  of  John  the  Baptist,  you  are 
not.  Pompon,  you  offered  me  your  friendship  ; 
I  accept."  And  pouring  the  remainder  of  the 
wine  equally  into  the  two  glasses,  he  raised  his 
with  a  smile. 

"A -toil"  he  said. 

"To  both  of  us,"  his  companion  rejoined. 


The  Firm  of  Tonti  and  Company      33 

They  touched  the  glasses  to  their  lips,  but 
before  they  could  empty  them  a  strange  voice 
interrupted  them  by  saying : 

"  I  have  a  better  toast :  To  M.  Tonti  and 
Company." 


Chapter   Three 

IN  WHICH  THE  FIRM  ADMITS  ANOTHER  PART 
NER  AND  AN  ANCIENT  DOCUMENT  REVEALS 
MUCH  WISDOM 

THE  two  men  were  startled  at  the  sound, 
and  looked  hastily  toward  the  doorway 
from  whence  the  voice  proceeded. 
Within  it  stood  a  man  whose  appearance  both 
in  manner  and  physical  characteristics  were  not 
likely  to  escape  observation  wherever  he  might 
be  placed.  Taller  by  half  a  head  than  either 
Tonti  or  his  companion,  and  of  a  decidedly 
heavier  build ;  bold  forehead ;  dark  but  not 
shaggy  eyebrows ;  nose  of  a  strongly  marked 
Roman  type,  beneath  which  rested  a  thin  dark 
moustache  with  ends  twisted  upward  so  as  to 
give  the  owner  a  fierce  and  scornful  expression ; 
a  full  rounded  chin  that  tended  to  become 
double,  —  all  this  betokened  a  man  of  vigor  and 
action.  But  the  dress  was  that  of  a  fop  or  court 
dandy.  A  brown  outer  coat,  embroidered  with 
gold,  was  the  first  article  that  attracted  one's  at 
tention.  This  covered  a  vest  ornamented  with 

34 


An  Ancient  Document  35 

red  ribbons.  Above  the  coat  was  slung  a 
shoulder-belt  of  twisted  gold-thread  support 
ing  a  sword ;  while  a  throatband  of  muslin, 
edged  with  fine  lace,  and  a  broad-brimmed  beaver, 

O  ' 

surmounted  by  a  double  row  of  plumes,  complete  ! 
the  upper  part  of  the  attire.  Close-fitting  breeches, 
of  another  shade  of  brown,  and  high  boots,  very 
large  and  open  at  the  top,  completed  his  fashion 
able  dress.  A  fine  lace  handkerchief  was  held  in 
one  hand,  and  applied  daintily  to  the  nostril  now 
and  then  for  the  benefit  of  the  Cyprus  scent  with 
which  it  was  laden. 

"  You  will  pardon  my  interruption,"  he  began, 
"when  I  have  explained  my  errand,  gentlemen. 
But  first  let  me  announce  myself  as  Robert 
Cavelier  —  " 

"  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  the  great  explorer  ?  "  cried 
Tonti,  coming  forward. 

"  The  explorer,  certainement^  but  not  yet 
great.  It  remains  for  you  to  help  me  to  be 
come  that." 

"I  help  you?" 

"Yes.  You  are  Captain  Henri  de  Tonti,  are 
you  not  ? " 

Tonti  bowed. 

"  Son  of  Lorenzo  Tonti,  the  Neapolitan 
banker  who,  because  he  sided  with  Masaniello, 
was  obliged  to  flee  from  Italy  ?  " 

Tonti  bowed  again. 


36  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Who  first  proposed  the  insurance  plan  that 
has  filled  the  King's  treasury  ;  who,  because  the 
scheme  was  an  apparent  failure  at  first,  was  im 
prisoned  by  Mazarin  and  forgotten,  and  who 
died  within  the  month  of  starvation  in  the 
Bastille  ?  " 

Tonti  gazed  in  astonishment.  "  You  know  —  " 
he  began,  but  the  other  interposed  with  a  grace 
ful  gesture  of  his  hand  containing  the  scented 
bit  of  lace. 

"Yes,  I  know  all.  How  you  entered  the  French 
army  at  eighteen  as  cadet;  fought  four  campaigns 
on  board  ship  and  three  in  the  galleys.  How  at 
Messina  you  were  placed  in  charge  of  a  camp  of 
twenty  thousand  men.  How  at  Libisso  a  gre 
nade  shot  away  your  left  hand,  and  how,  because 
of  the  delay  in  the  arrival  of  the  chirurgien^  you 
amputated  the  remnant  of  your  hand  with  your 
dagger.  How  you  were  known  as  ( The  Man 
with  the  Iron  Hand'  because  of  the  iron  mecha 
nism  you  had  made  to  take  the  place  of  the  lost 
member,  and  which  you  still  wear.  How,  taken 
prisoner  at  Libisso,  you  were  confined  at  Metasse 
for  six  months  and  were  exchanged  for  the  son 
of  the  Governor.  On  your  return  to  France  the 
King  rewarded  you  with  a  paltry  three  hundred 
livres  and  a  captaincy,  and  sent  you  back  to  join 
in  the  Sicilian  campaign  in  the  galleys.  How 
peace  has  thrown  you  out  of  employment.  How 


An  Ancient  Document  37 

you  are  restless  and  unhappy,  and  are  eager,  now 
that  the  King  has  no  further  need  of  you,  to 
take  up  with  whatever  adventure  promises  the 
most  gold  and  glory.  How  now  ?  Am  I  not 
right?  Do  I  not  know  all?" 

During  this  rapid  sketch  of  Tonti's  career,  he 
became  more  and  more  bewildered  as  the  speaker 
went  on,  and  when  he  ceased  speaking  he  could 
make  no  reply. 

"Ah!  mon  ami"  said  La  Salle  kindly,  "do 
not  be  disturbed  at  my  knowledge.  A  friend 
has  told  me.  The  Prince  de  Conti,  whom  I  con 
sulted  in  my  search  for  a  comrade,  a  lieutenant, 
told  me  you  were  suited  for  the  post,  with  a 
hand  indeed  of  iron  and  a  heart  of  oak.  That 
is  exactly  the  sort  of  man  I  need." 

By  this  time  Tonti  had  recovered  himself,  and 
led  the  way  to  the  table,  motioning  his  visitor 
into  a  chair.  He  then  took  the  sole  remaining 
bit  of  gold  from  his  pocket,  gave  it  to  Pompon, 
and  ordered  him  to  get  a  bottle  of  the  choicest 
Anjou  wine  from  the  near-by  cabaret.  He  then 
turned  to  the  stranger. 

"  The  Prince  de  Conti  was  a  gallant  leader  to 
serve  under  in  war,  but  1  did  not  suppose  he 
would  have  been  so  warm  in  his  recommenda 
tion.  What  do  you  wish  me  to  do?" 

"  Ah  !  that  is  a  question  easily  answered,"  re 
plied  La  Salle,  as  he  gave  one  farewell  whiff  at 


38  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

his  handkerchief,  then  put  it  away,  and,  straight 
ening  himself  in  the  chair,  spoke  earnestly  and 
with  rapidity.  All  mannerism  of  the  court 
dandy  was  gone,  and  the  direct,  business-like  air 
of  a  man  of  the  world  who  has  to  deal  with 
affairs  of  moment  took  its  place. 

"  I  have,  as  you  know,  made  some  explora 
tions  in  New  France,  starting  out  from  my  pos 
sessions  near  Montreal.  But  I  am  satisfied  that 
much  lies  beyond  ;  that  there  we  are  partly  on 
our  way  to  China,  and  that  ere  long  one  of  His 
Majesty's  ships  can  sail  direct  from  the  harbor 
of  La  Rochelle  past  Quebec  and  Montreal  to 
China  and  the  Indies.  It  is  a  glorious  life,  a 
warfare  against  Nature  and  wild  men,  with  great 
difficulties  to  be  overcome  and  victories  to  be 
gained,  but  free ;  free  air,  free  action,  free  range. 
Once  beyond  the  settlement  of  Montreal  and 
one  need  be  answerable  to  no  man.  With  help 
from  the  Governor,  we  can  build  up  so  large  a 
trade  in  beaver-skins  within  a  few  years  that  great 
wealth  will  be  ours,  greater  than  a  soldier  of  the 
King  could  ever  hope  to  gain  in  all  his  life's 
service." 

Pompon  returned  with  the  wine,  and,  after  fill 
ing  the  glasses,  stood  behind  Tonti's  chair,  watch 
ful  to  see  and  hear  all  that  went  on. 

"  I  have  here  letters  from  Comte  de  Frontenac, 
Governor  of  New  France,  to  Colbert.  Already 


An  Ancient  Document 


39 


the  King  has  granted  me  several  audiences,  and 
both  he  and  his  Minister  are  favorable  to  my 
plans.  He  has  awarded  certain  moneys,  and  I 
have  collected  all  but  twenty  thousand  francs  of 
the  necessary  remainder  from  my  relatives  and 
friends." 

Tonti  here  bethought  himself  of  presenting 
Pompon,  and  after  he  had  sent  him  out  again  on 
a  needless  errand,  told  La  Salle  what  he  knew  of 
his  history.  When  he  returned  La  Salle  eyed 
him  critically  during  their  conversation,  and 
finally,  after  arousing  their  enthusiasm  by  show 
ing  them  rude  maps  of  the  wilderness  and  relat 
ing  tales  of  adventure  that  stirred  the  blood,  he 
wound  up  by  asking  them  both -to  accompany 
him  on  his  next  expedition,  that  was  to  start 
shortly. 

"  You  will  thus,  Captain  de  Tonti,"  he  con 
cluded,  "  escape  the  arduous  service  of  a  King 
who  forgets,  and  the  constant  hopeless  storing 
up  of  hatred  against  his  Minister.  I  warn  you 
that  if  you  remain  here  it  will  be  but  to  eat  your 
heart  out  in  helpless  misery.  You  cannot  touch 
him  ;  he  is  too  high.  Come  with  me  and  forget 
the  past;  escape  the  constant  reminders  of  wrongs 
suffered.  You  will,  too,  in  a  measure  be  serving 
your  chosen  King  by  extending  his  domain  and 
adding  new  glory  to  the  crown  he  wears ;  be 
sides,"  he  continued,  in  a  tone  a  shade  more 


40  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

earnest  and  subdued,  "  think  of  the  thousands 
of  benighted  souls  that  will  thus  have  the  bene 
fits  and  offices  of  Mother  Church  brought  to 
them.  Think  of  it;  wealth  gained;  ambition 
satisfied ;  a  name  made  famous ;  an  oath  of 
allegiance  still  kept  inviolate.  This  applies  also 
to  you,  M.  Pompon.  While  in  this  country  you 
will  be  in  constant  danger.  Once  reach  the 
western  land  and  all  the  kings  of  the  earth  with 
all  their  soldiers  could  not  find  you.  Who  knows 
what  deeds  of  prowess  you  may  achieve  and  per 
haps  through  them  win  a  pardon  and  so  come 
home  to  spend  your  latter  days  in  peace  ?  " 

"  Mordioux  I  "  cried  Tonti,  all  aflame  with  eager 
ness  to  carry  out  the  proposed  plan.  "When  do 
we  start  ? " 

"  As  nearly  two  weeks  from  to-morrow  as  we 
can.  The  ship  is  the  *  Saint  Honore,'  and  we 
sail  from  La  Rochelle." 

"  We  will  go  with  you,"  suddenly  spoke  up 
Pompon,  "  and  you  need  look  no  further  for  the 
twenty  thousand  francs  ;  Captain  de  Tonti  and 
myself  will  furnish  them  as  our  share  of  the 
expedition." 

Tonti  looked  at  his  newly-made  friend  in  a 
condition  bordering  upon  stupefaction.  For  him 
self,  he  had  no  money,  and  this  man,  just  out  of 
the  Bastille,  he  knew  could  have  none  either.  A 
look  from  Pompon  checked  any  exclamation  of 


An  Ancient  Document  41 

surprise  that  he  might  have  made,  so  he  con 
tented  himself  by  offering  his  hand  to  La  Salle 
in  token  of  his  acceptance. 

"But  how  about  the  royal  commission?"  he 
asked.  "Will  that  not  be  necessary?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  explorer,  "  but  leave  that 
to  me.  To-day  is  Tuesday.  Meet  me  in  the 
King's  antechamber  on  Friday  and  all  will  be 
easy.  Now,  as  for  myself,  I  must  go  on  to  the 
palace.  You  see  now  why  I  interrupted  your 
toast.  Fill  me  another  glass  and  pledge  all 
health  and  success  to  the  three  members  of  the 
firm  of  M.  Tonti  and  Company." 

So  saying,  he  drained  his  wine  to  the  last  drop, 
and,  picking  up  his  hat  and  drawing  forth  his 
handkerchief,  waved  a  perfumed  farewell  to  the 
two  men  and  left  the  room. 

For  a  moment  there  was  silence  in  the  room. 
Then  Pompon  spoke  :  "  Fortune  is  a  woman  ;  if 
you  neglect  her  to-day,  expect  not  to  regain  her 
to-morrow.  She  knocks  once  at  every  man's 
door ;  he  is  a  fool  who  does  not  invite  her  in." 

"  True,  mon  ami"  replied  the  other,  "  and  in 
this  case,  if  we  once  get  her  in,  we  will  bolt  the 
door  behind  her  so  she  cannot  escape.  But  tell 
me,  why  did  you  offer  the  twenty  thousand  francs 
when  we  have  not  so  much  as  half  a  louis  left, — 
unless  perhaps  you  found  the  pockets  of  those 
clothes  I  gave  you  lined  with  rouleaux  of  gold?  " 


42  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"The  sea  is  not  measured  with  a  bushel, 
neither  is  a  man  always  known  by  his  looks," 
was  the  enigmatical  reply.  "Wait  for  me  here," 
and  Pompon  glided  out  of  the  door  and  stole 
silently  down  the  stairs.  He  was  back  within  a 
half-hour,  bearing  in  his  hand  a  mildewed  bit 
of  parchment.  He  summoned  Tonti  to  the 
window  where  the  light  was  good  and  carefully 
unfolded  it. 

"  This  happens  to  be  a  parchment  written  upon 
with  a  secret  ink  that  dampness  will  not  blur. 
The  day  before  M.  Fouquet  was  taken  I  learned 
of  his  proposed  arrest,  and  at  considerable  risk 
warned  him  of  his  danger  and  begged  him  to  flee 
while  there  was  yet  time.  He  only  laughed  and 
said  he  would  not  run.  He  wrote  on  this  piece 
of  parchment  and  handed  it  to  me,  saying : 
1  Mon  brave  Pompon,  I  have  buried  the  sum  of 
fifty  thousand  francs  in  the  place  described  here. 
Take  this,  and  if  I  am  arrested,  go  and  get  the 
money  and  leave  France  at  once.'  He  was 
arrested  the  very  next  day,  and  I  the  day  after, 
before  I  had  time  to  get  the  gold.  I  managed 
to  hide  this  paper  with  my  friend  the  cabaretier, 
who  furnished  you  with  the  dye,  before  I  was 
imprisoned.  You  see  he  has  been  faithful  to 
my  trust  and  has  kept  it  safe  for  me  all  these 
years." 

So  saying,  he  thrust  the  paper  before  the  as- 


An  Ancient  Document  43 

tonished  eyes   of  Tonti,  who  read  the  first  line 
as  follows  : 

"EMRMRFCTGJJYECMDCAMSCLRMRFC." 

"'Tis  all  in  cipher!  "  he  exclaimed. 

"Yes,  the  same  that  M.  Fouquet  used,  and 
in  which  I  wrote  his  secret  messages,"  responded 
Pompon.  "  But  it  is  very  simple.  Each-  letter 
is  two  places  in  the  alphabet  removed  from  the 
proper  one.  So  all  you  have  to  do  is  to  count 
ahead  two  letters  each  time.  The  first  line  will 
then  be : 

"  '  GO  TO  THE  VILLAGE  OF  ECOUEN  TO  THE.'  " 

"  Bravo  !  "  cried  Tonti,  "  let  us  finish  reading 
it." 

They  went  on,  and,  after  the  whole  had  been 
deciphered,  the  hidden  message  read : 

"GO  TO  THE  VILLAGE  OF  ECOUEN  TO  THE 
INN  CALLED  THE  STRIPED  ASS.  TAKE  OUT 
THE  MIDDLE  FLOOR  BRICK  IN  THE  ROW 
NEXT  TO  THE  HEARTHSTONE  AND  PULL 
ON  THE  IRON  RING  BENEATH  IT.  THEN  GO 
TO  EITHER  END  OF  THE  STONE  AND  BEAR 
YOUR  WEIGHT  UPON  IT.  THE  STONE  WILL 
TURN,  AND  IN  THE  HOLE  BENEATH  IT  YOU 
WILL  FIND  TWO  BAGS,  EACH  CONTAINING 
A  THOUSAND  PISTOLES.  THEY  ARE  YOURS 
IN  TOKEN  OF  MANY  YEARS  OF  FAITHFUL 
SERVICE." 


44  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco  !  Two  thousand  pistoles  !  " 
exclaimed  Tonti.  "  That  will  leave  thirty  thou 
sand  francs,  after  paying  M.  de  la  Salle.  What 
will  you  do  with  it  ?  " 

"  I  think  we  can  find  a  way  to  spend  it." 

"  We  ?  " 

"  Yes,  certainement.  Have  we  not  drunk  to 
the  health  of  M.  Tonti  and  Company  ?  We  have 
much  to  do  before  we  leave  France,  and  both 
of  us  may  need  to  have  a  goodly  sum  of  gold. 
It  will  be  a  powerful  ally  in  danger." 

"  Devil  take  me,  Pompon,  if  you  are  not 
right.  A  full  purse  is  better  than  ten  friends." 

"  We  shall  need  it,  too,  when  we  reach  the  New 
World,  for  there  will  be  many  difficulties  there 
to  be  overcome.  Money  will  make  the  pot 
boil,  though  the  devil  pour  water  on  the  fire," 
concluded  Pompon. 

"  Ma  foi !  mon  ami,  I  accept  your  contribu 
tion  for  the  adventure.  I  shall  repay  you  my 
share  out  of  the  first  load  of  beaver-skins  I  sell. 
But,  what  am  I  saying  ?  The  money  is  not  ours 
yet.  It  may  have  been  discovered  before  now 
or  we  may  find  the  inn  destroyed.  'Tis  now 
fourteen  years  since  he  gave  you  this  paper," 
and  from  a  state  of  exaltation,  Tonti  became 
suddenly  sober  and  crestfallen. 

"It  is  good  to  fear  the  worst ;  the  best  saves 
itself,"  said  Pompon.  "  The  only  way  to  settle 


An  Ancient  Document  45 

the  question  is  to  go  there.  Do  you  know  where 
Ecouen  is  ?  " 

"Ma foil   No." 

"  It  is  distant  about  four  leagues  from  Paris. 
By  leaving  here  at  eight  o'clock  to-night,  we  can 
ride  there  easily  in  two  hours,  do  what  we  have 
to  do,  and  be  back  by  day.  It  is  for  you  to  bor 
row  a  hundred  livres  from  your  friends  and  hire  a 
horse  and  an  ass.  Leave  the  ass  with  the  cabare- 
tier  in  the  Rue  de  la  Tanerie,  and  be  yourself  near 
the  Porte  Dauphin.  If  you  see  a  monk  pass  out 
by  the  gate  mounted  on  an  ass,  follow  him,  but 
do  not  address  nor  try  to  come  up  to  him,  until 
he  speaks  to  the  animal  he  rides.  I  shall  have 
to  have  a  few  livres  to  get  my  disguise  with,  so 
you  had  best  be  gone  to  borrow  the  money." 

"  Par  Dieu !  a  good  plan,"  said  Tonti,  "  I 
shall  do  it.  You  beat  me  at  the  game  of  cun 
ning,  but  when  real  open  righting  comes,  I  shall  do 
like  this,"  and,  seizing  Pompon  about  the  waist, 
he  raised  him  from  the  ground,  and  by  a  sudden 
powerful  exertion  held  him  aloft  above  his  head 
with  his  two  arms  extended.  "  I  have  you  now, 
you  weazel.  Where  shall  I  throw  you  ?  " 

"  Your  arm  may  be  strong,  but  my  wit  is  not 
wanting,"  was  the  reply.  "You  know  a  mouse 
can  gnaw  a  rope  that  a  lion  cannot  break.  Come, 
mon  Capitaine,  it  is  time  now  for  work  ;  to-mor 
row  we  can  play." 


Chapter  Four 


SHOWS  HOW  MINE  HOST  OF  "THE  STRIPED 
ASS"  TREATED  HIS  GUESTS,  AND  HOW  HIS 
PUNISHMENT  WAS  MADE  TO  FIT  HIS  CRIME 

IT  wanted  but  a  few  minutes  to  eight  the  same 
evening  when  the  figure  of  Tonti  might 
have  been  observed  riding  slowly  along 
near  the  bank  of  the  Seine.  He  walked  his  horse 
as  though  he  were  in  no  hurry  and  his  ride  were 
without  an  object.  When  opposite  Le  Pont 
Neuf,  he  halted  and  watched  for  a  moment  the 
group  of  idlers  gathered  about  the  equestrian 
statue  of  King  Henry  in  the  centre  of  the  bridge, 
who  were  leaning  over  the  parapet  and  engaged 
in  bandying  jests  with  the  boatmen  passing  be 
neath  the  arches.  Having  seemingly  gained  all 
the  amusement  possible  from  a  contemplation  of 
this  spectacle,  Tonti  soon  resumed  his  journey, 
turning  off  in  a  short  time  from  the  river-bank 
and  threading  his  way  through  various  cross- 
streets  until  he  reached  the  Rue  St.  Honore. 
Following  this  thoroughfare  as  far  as  the  city 
gate,  he  stopped  his  horse  in  the  shelter  of  the 
wall  of  Les  Capucins,  to  await  his  companion. 

46 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host       47 

In  a  moment  or  two  he  beheld  a  sight  that 
made  it  hard  for  his  mirth-loving  nature  to  keep 
itself  within  bounds.  A  small  white  ass  came 
ambling  along  and  passed  him,  carrying  a  very 
fat,  unwieldly-formed  monk  of  the  Franciscan 
order,  clad  in  a  gray  cowl,  girdle,  and  sandals. 
His  monkship  apparently  had  not  been  astride  an 
animal  for  a  long  time,  and  such  were  the  evident 
signs  of  discomfort  on  his  face  that  one  instantly 
surmised  that  he  was  undergoing  a  penance  of 
some  sort.  He  made  no  attempt  to  guide  the 
ass,  but  sat  holding  on  helplessly  to  the  rope  that 
served  as  rein  and  bridle.  The  gate  was  not  yet 
closed  for  the  night,  so  he  passed  unchallenged, 
the  guards  laughing  heartily  at  the  figure  he  cut. 
Tonti  waited  until  he  had  gotten  a  couple  of 
minutes'  start  of  him,  and  then  turned  into  the 
road  and  passed  likewise  through  the  gate  with 
out  hindrance.  The  night  watch  had  just  ar 
rived,  and  in  the  confusion  attending  the  change 
of  guard  he  was  easily  overlooked.  He  had 
hardly  gone  a  score  of  paces  beyond,  when  he 
heard  the  gate  close  behind  him.  Any  one  leav 
ing  or  entering  after  that  hour  would  be  carefully 
scrutinized. 

In  the  fast-gathering  gloom,  Tonti  spied  his 
ecclesiastical  friend  trotting  peacefully  along  the 
Chemin  de  Villers.  He  hurriedly  followed  him, 
but  preserved  a  respectful  distance.  He  received 


48  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

no  sign,  neither  heard  any  sound  from  him.  Be 
coming  alarmed  lest  he  had  really  made  a  mis 
take,  he  was  about  to  turn  back  toward  the  city, 
when  suddenly  the  ghostly  figure  began  beat 
ing  his  animal  with  the  rein  and  kicking  his 
sides  as  effectively  as  he  could  with  his  sandalled 
feet. 

"  A  murrain  seize  this  beast  for  a  vicious, 
rough-riding  child  of  Beelzebub.  May  the  devil 
take  him  and  all  his  kind  !  Ha  !  mon  ami  Tonti, 
I  feared  it  was  not  you.  Some  one  else  followed 
me  on  a  horse  almost  up  to  the  gate,  and  I  did 
not  know  but  that  you  were  he.  I  fear  that  he 
suspected  that  I  was  disguised.  I  don't  believe 
that  I  sit  well  when  I  ride." 

A  shout  of  laughter  from  Tonti  greeted  this 
speech. 

"  Peste  !  Pompon,  if  I  do  not  get  you  a  place 
in  the  Horse  Guards.  You  sit  your  animal  like 
a  sack  of  meal." 

"  You  would  look  like  one  yourself,"  Pompon 
replied  rather  testily,  "  if  you  had  a  back  stuffed 
with  straw  and  a  paunch  made  out  of  enough  hay 
to  keep  a  horse  in  health  for  a  week,  all  squeezed 
into  a  heavy  cowl  and  tied  together  with  a  stout 
cord.  Between  the  heat  and  discomfort  of  my 
disguise,  and  the  jolting  of  this  beast,  I  am  thank 
ful  we  have  only  four  leagues  to  go.  He  who  is 
in  great  haste  should  not  ride  an  ass." 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host        49 

"Where  got  you  your  disguise?"  queried 
Tonti. 

"  From  my  friend  the  cabaretier"  was  the 
reply.  "  He  'was  one  of  M.  Fouquet's  secret 
agents ;  many  is  the  message  I  have  taken  from 
him.  The  words  f  Remember  sixty-four '  that  I 
told  you  to  whisper  to  him  is  the  secret  means 
of  recognition  among  all  those  who  were  con 
nected  with  the  unfortunate  Minister.  It  was 
in  1664,  you  know,  that  he  fell." 

"  Are  there  many  others  ?" 

"  Hundreds.  They  are  in  every  rank  and 
condition.  M.  Fouquet  was  a  good  master  to 
serve  and  a  liberal  one,  as  I  can  bear  witness. 
All  who  served  him  loved  him." 

Talking  thus  of  his  old  employer,  a  theme 
Pompon  never  tired  of,  the  strangely  assorted 
pair  rode  on  into  the  shades  of  the  on-coming 
night.  When  about  half  the  distance  had  been 
traversed,  they  turned  off  into  a  road  leading  to 
the  left,  and  by  ten  o'clock  saw  a  light  or  two 
from  the  small  hamlet  of  Ecouen  twinkling  in  the 

o 

darkness  ahead  of  them.  On  reaching  the  out 
skirts  of  the  village,  they  dismounted  and  led 
their  beasts  into  a  wood  at  the  side  of  the  road 
and  tethered  them. 

Entering  the  town  on  foot,  they  found  it  con 
siderably  later  than  they  had  hoped  for,  so  they 
quickened  their  pace,  lest  the  inn  be  closed  for 


50  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

the  night.  Here  and  there  a  light  was  visible 
where  some  late-a-bed  still  kept  his  house  open 
for  a  neighborly  game  of  dice,  and  from  one  or 
two  half-open  doors  came  the  sound  of  feasting. 
As  they  drew  near  the  most  prominent  of  the 
window-lights,  they  found  it  to  belong  to  an  inn 
of  the  older  type.  All  was  still  in  the  story 
above,  and  quiet  reigned  about  the  place.  A 
shed  for  the  disposal  of  travellers'  horses  was 
situated  at  one  end  of  the  building,  while  above 
the  door  a  sign  of  some  sort  grated  harshly  as 
the  light  night  wind  moved  it  slowly  to  and  fro. 
It  was  too  dark  for  the  two  men  to  decipher  any 
thing  on  the  signboard,  so  they  approached  the 
window  from  which  the  glow  proceeded.  Tonti 
raised  himself  on  tiptoe  and  looked  in. 

The  interior  was  apparently  empty,  and  con 
sisted  of  the  usual  public-room  of  the  average 
inn  of  the  period.  Upon  the  huge  hearth  a 
bright  fire  was  blazing,  which  cast  alternate  light 
and  shade  upon  the  low  ceiling  and  the  further 
corners  of  the  room.  A  number  of  heavy  wooden 
tables  with  benches  around  them  filled  up  the 
greater  portion  of  the  floor  space.  On  these  a 
profusion  of  emptied,  dirty  glasses  and  mugs 
bespoke  a  good  night's  custom  for  the  proprietor. 
At  the  side  of  the  room  was  arranged  a  kind  of 
private  office,  as  it  were,  fenced  off  from  the 
rest  by  a  railing,  behind  which  was  placed  a  table 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host        5 1 

and  a  bench.  It  was  evidently  the  innkeeper's 
especial  domain,  for,  as  Tonti's  eyes  became 
more  accustomed  to  the  half-gloom,  he  spied  the 
figure  of  a  man  seated  upon  the  bench,  busily 
engaged  in  counting  a  small  pile  of  coin  spread 
out  upon  the  table  before  him.  He  glanced 
uneasily  over  his  shoulder  now  and  then  at  the 
door  and  the  window,  as  though  fearful  of  being 
seen.  He  soon  finished  his  task,  and  quickly 
swept  the  money  into  a  small  leather  pouch, 
which  he  closed  with  a  look  of  satisfaction,  stow 
ing  it  away  in  the  recesses  of  his  blouse.  At 
this  moment  Tonti  left  the  window,  and,  advanc 
ing  to  the  door,  struck  it  sharply  with  the  hilt  of 
his  sword.  Pompon,  whispering  that  he  would 
come  in  later,  disappeared  in  the  darkness. 

"  Hola  !  Landlord,  open  here  !  Would  you 
keep  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier  waiting  in  the 
night  when  you  have  within  a  good  fire  to  warm 
his  hands  and  good  wine  to  cheer  his  heart? 
Corbleu  !  Open,  I  say,  or  it  will  be  the  worse  for 
you.  I  am  not  the  man  to  be  kept  waiting." 

So  speaking,  he  belabored  the  door  with  hilt 
and  fist  so  lustily  that  the  landlord  came  running 
to  let  him  in,  crying: 

"  Yes,  yes,  gentlemen,  in  one  moment,  I  pray 
you.  But  do  not  awaken  the  whole  house.  It 
is  late,"  he  continued,  unfastening  the  door  and 
opening  it  an  inch,  peering  out  meanwhile  to  see 


5  2  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

what  manner  of  guests  he  was  welcoming,  "  late 
indeed  for  honest  folk  to  be  about" 

As  soon  as  the  crack  of  the  door  widened  suf 
ficiently  to  admit  the  hilt  of  the  sword,  Tonti 
inserted  it,  and  with  a  quick  pressure  with  this 
lever  he  swung  the  door  open  in  spite  of  the 
landlord's  efforts  to  hold  it. 

"  How  now,  Sir  Innkeeper  !  Dame  !  but  I  be 
lieve  you  would  have  kept  me  out  there  a  full 
hour  longer  if  you  had  had  your  way." 

So  speaking,  he  stepped  into  the  light  of  the 
room.    Upon  seeing  a  man  evidently  a  soldier  and 
from    Paris,   the   landlord's   fears   quieted   them 
selves.     One  suspicion,  however,  remained. 

"  Pardon,  Sir  Capitaine"  he  cried,  bowing  ob 
sequiously,  "  but  where  is  your  companion?  Did 
you  not  say  that  there  were  two  of  you,  a  soldier 
and  a  gentleman  ?  " 

Tonti  was  puzzled  for  a  moment,  and  then 
laughed. 

"  And  may  I  not  be  both  ?  Here,  bite  that, 
and  tell  me  if  it  be  gold  or  no.  If  so,  fetch  me 
a  bottle  of  wine,  the  very  best,  and  some  food." 
So  saying,  he  flung  down  a  pistole  upon  the 
table  near  him. 

The  innkeeper  quickly  seized  it,  bit  it,  and 
after  testing  its  ring,  pocketed  it  with  alacrity,  his 
suspicions  vanished. 

"  Draw    near  the   fire,"    he    exclaimed,    as    he 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host        53 

busily  stirred  the  logs,  "  and  I  shall  return  pres 
ently  with  the  best  bottle  to  be  found  this  side 
of  Paris.  It  has  been  in  the  cellar  for  fourteen 
years,  ever  since  I  came  to  this  town,  and  was 
there  I  know  not  how  long  before  me." 

With  these  words,  he  hastily  brushed  off  a 
bench,  motioned  Tonti  to  be  seated,  and  was 
gone.  Tonti  looked  about  him  carefully. 

"  It  must  be  the  place,"  he  murmured  to  him 
self.  "  He  said  he  had  been  here  fourteen  years, 
and  it  is  just  that  length  of  time  since  Fouquet's 
downfall." 

His  eyes  wandered  toward  the  fireplace  and 
his  thoughts  were  confirmed.  A  huge  stone  slab 
some  seven  feet  in  length  and  three  in  width 
constituted  the  hearth.  This  stone  was  bordered 
by  a  single  row  of  bricks  that  were  covered  with 
dust  and  ashes.  Tonti's  eyes  danced  with  excite 
ment  as  he  beheld  them,  and  he  wondered  why 
Pompon  was  delayed  so  long  and  what  his  plan 
would  be  to  get  a  chance  of  testing  the  truth  of 
his  cipher-message. 

Presently  he  heard  the  innkeeper  returning, 
and  he  reappeared  bearing  the  remains  of  a  huge 
goose-pie  in  one  arm  and  a  dusty,  musty,  cob- 
webbed  bottle  of  wine  in  the  other.  These  he 
placed  before  his  guest,  who  was  soon  devouring 
the  one  and  sipping  the  other,  whose  grapes  must 
have  weighted  the  vine  on  the  sunny  vineyard 


54  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

slopes  full  thirty  years  before.  He  was  about 
to  compliment  the  landlord  standing  before  him 
upon  the  excellence  of  his  providing  when  he 
heard  the  voice  of  singing  in  the  street  outside 
the  inn  and  close  at  hand. 

"  Quand  nous  fumes  sur  le  pont  qui  tremble, 
He/as,  man  Dieu  !  ' ' 

were  the  words  they  heard.  Then  came  a  silence, 
broken  only  by  the  shuffling  sound  as  of  some 
one  walking  laboriously  among  the  pebbles  and 
sand  of  the  roadway.  Then  came  the  song 
nearer  than  before : 

"  Quand  nous  fumes  dans  la  Saintonge, 
Helas,  man  Dieu  !  ' ' 

followed  by  a  heavy  knock  at  the  door.  The 
innkeeper  hastened  to  open  it,  and  the  light  from 
the  fire  fell  full  on  the  figure  of  Tonti's  late  com 
panion.  He  had  found  and  trimmed  a  young 
tree  into  a  serviceable  pilgrim's  staff,  and  his 
expression  was  that  of  great  weariness. 

"  Pax  vobiscum"  he  said  gravely,  addressing 
the  innkeeper.  This  individual  crossed  himself, 
replying,  "  And  with  you,  father." 

The  monk  then  laid  aside  his  staff,  and 
approached  the  table  next  to  the  one  at  which 
Tonti  was  seated. 

"  I   would  have  lodging  and  a  bit  of  food,  for 

o       o 

I  have  fasted  since  daybreak.     Gold  have  I  not, 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host       55 

for  it  would  ill  become  him  whose  boast  is  that 
poverty  is  his  bride  to  carry  any  money  with  him. 
But  I  am  privileged  to  grant  an  indulgence,  in 
return  for  food  and  lodging,"  and  the  tired  monk 
settled  down  upon  a  bench  and  looked  hungrily 
about  him. 

"  Have  you  no  relics  that  will  ward  off  disease  ? " 
asked  the  innkeeper.  "  A  bone  from  the  hand 
of  some  good  saint  or  something  from  the  Holy 
Land  ?  " 

"  Nay,  nay,"  exclaimed  the  monk  in  seeming 
anger.  "  I  am  no  hawker  of  bogus  relics,  nor 
claim  any  kindred  with  the  devil-spawn  who  go 
through  the  land  plying  their  unholy  trade. 
With  them  they  have  but  to  see  your  money  in 
their  hand  when  the  merry  rogues  will  sell  you 
a  cart-load  of  laths  from  the  ark  of  pere  Noah, 
a  ring  from  the  snout  of  St.  Anthony's  pig,  or 
the  crest  of  the  cock  that  crowed  before  Pilate." 

The  landlord  seemed  duly  impressed  with  the 
superior  merits  of  the  begging  friar,  and  started 
off  to  get  some  scraps  for  his  meal.  Tonti,  who 
had  up  to  this  time  remained  silent,  watching  the 
game  his  companion  was  playing,  called  after 
him  : 

"  Bring  the  reverend  father's  meal  to  my  table, 
and  fetch  another  glass,  that  he  may  share  my 
wine  with  me.  I  warrant  he  is  a  good  judge 
of  it." 


56  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

The  monk  bowed  his  thanks,  and  replied  with 
a  wink  at  Tonti : 

"  He  is  an  ill  guest  that  never  drinks  to 
his  host.  Might  I  suggest,  my  soldier  friend, 
that  the  good  innkeeper  fetch  a  glass  for  him 
self?  " 

Tonti  agreed,  and  the  host  hastened  to  find 
the  glasses,  feeling  glad  to  get  a  chance  to  taste 
some  of  his  own  rare  wine  at  the  expense  of 
some  one  else. 

As  soon  as  he  had  disappeared,-  the  monk 
reached  over  to  Tonti's  glass  and  shook  a  white 
powder  into  it,  from  a  bit  of  paper  in  his  hand, 
then  filled  it  from  the  bottle.  "  Now,  your  part 
is  to  see  that  yon  rascal  gets  your  glass,"  he  said 
in  a  low  voice,  and  resumed  his  seat. 

The  innkeeper  soon  returned  with  two  fresh 
glasses,  which  Tonti  filled,  and  then  by  a  deft 
movement  of  the  hands  he  exchanged  his  glass 
for  that  nearest  the  landlord. 

"  Here  's  to  our  host,"  cried  Tonti,  as  the  man 
sat  down  and  seized  his  glass.  "  May  he  never 
want  a  lodger  !  " 

"And  to  this  goodly  quiet  inn,  the  —  what  is 
your  house  called,  Sir  Host?"  asked  the  strange 
monk. 

"  The  Striped  Ass,"  was  the  reply. 

"  To  the  Striped  Ass,  then,"  continued  Pom 
pon  ;  "  may  his  bray  be  ever  loud  to  attract  cus- 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host       57 

tomers,  and  his  temper  mild,  so  that  he  will 
spare  them  kicks." 

All  three  drained  their  glasses,  and  a  period  of 
silence  ensued,  broken  only  by  the  sound  of  the 
fire  and  the  munching  of  the  goose-pie,  as  Tonti 
made  another  onslaught.  A  touch  from  the 
monk's  foot  under  the  table  a  few  moments  later 
made  him  look  up,  and  he  beheld  the  effects  of 
the  drug  beginning  already  to  manifest  them 
selves  on  the  face  of  the  innkeeper,  whose  copi 
ous  potations  during  the  early  part  of  the  evening 
made  him  an  easy  prey.  His  eyes  seemed  heavy, 
and  an  overpowering  desire  to  sleep  seized  him. 
A  moment  he  struggled  against  the  feeling,  then 
surrendering  to  it  entirely,  his  face  fell  forward 
on  his  hands,  which  lay  upon  the  table. 

Pompon  jumped  up  quickly  and,  seizing  the 
man,  shook  him  to  make  sure  of  the  depth  of  his 
slumbers.  There  was  no  response.  "  He  will 
sleep  thus  for  twenty-four  hours.  Let  us  hasten, 
though." 

A  table  and  bench  were  first  placed  in  front  of 
the  door  leading  out  of  the  room  into  the  other 
part  of  the  house,  so  that  they  would  have  time 
to  leave  in  case  any  one  approached  from  that 
direction.  The  other  door  was  fastened,  and  the 
curtain  drawn.  Pompon,  then  taking  a  small 
dagger,  knelt  down  beside  the  hearth,  and  count 
ing  the  row  of  bricks  until  he  came  to  the  middle 


58  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

one,  he  carefully  dug  away  all  the  accumulated 
dust  and  dirt,  and  gently  pried  the  brick  from  its 
place.  Beneath  it  was  seen  a  small  iron  ring, 
which  he  seized.  It  gave  readily,  and  could  be 
pulled  out  about  an  inch.  This  evidently  with 
drew  some  hidden  bolt,  for  when  he  cautiously 
bore  the  weight  of  his  foot  on  one  extremity  of 
the  huge  stone,  it  turned  slowly  on  an  unseen 
axis,  one  end  rising  into  the  air  while  the  other 
disappeared  in  a  large  space  below.  Bending 
down,  Pompon  found  a  cavity  corresponding  in 
width  and  length  to  the  stone  and  about  four  feet 
in  depth.  By  lying  on  the  floor  and  stretching 
over  the  hole,  he  was  able  to  feel  the  contents. 
A  smothered  exclamation  of  joy  passed  his  lips, 
as  he  tossed  to  the  floor  a  bag  of  money,  and 
soon  after  feeling  around  more  carefully  in  the 
opening,  he  found  another. 

"What  say  you  now,  man  ami?  "  he  cried  joy 
fully.  "  Did  I  not  say  M.  Fouquet  (Heaven 
rest  his  soul  !)  was  faithful  to  them  who  served 
him  faithfully  ?  Here  are  the  two  thousand  pis 
toles." 

They  placed  the  money  on  the  table,  and 
swung  the  stone  back  to  its  normal  position. 
Pompon  then  handed  the  bags  to  Tonti,  and 
urged  him  to  go  ahead  of  him  to  the  place  where 
their  animals  had  been  left,  saying  that  he  would 
remain  behind  and  attend  to  the  unbarricading 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host        59 

of  the  door  and  yet  overtake  him  before  he  had 
his  horse  untied. 

Tonti  did  as  suggested,  leaving  Pompon  in  the 
room.  No  sooner  had  he  gone  than  Pompon 
approached  the  slumbering  landlord,  and,  turn 
ing  his  face  toward  the  light,  examined  it  closely. 
As  he  did  so,  a  look  of  awakened  recognition  was 
confirmed,  and  Pompon's  eyes  became  smaller 
and  glittered  with  a  strange  envenomed  look  of 
hatred  like  a  snake  about  to  strike.  With  deft 
fingers  he  searched  the  clothes  of  his  victim,  but 
it  was  not  for  robbery,  for  he  left  the  bag  of 
money  he  found  there ;  something  else  was  the 
object  of  his  search. 

At  last  he  found  a  leather  cord  tied  about  the 
man's  neck  from  which  dangled  a  bright  gold 
object.  It  proved  to  be  a  small  seal  ring  with  a 
peculiar  device  engraven  upon  its  surface.  Pom 
pon  carefully  placed  this  about  his  own  neck, 
then,  turning  to  the  man  again,  he  seized  him  by 
the  shoulders  and  dragged  him  to  the  floor  and 
along  it  till  he  reached  the  hearth.  He  halted  a 
moment  and  listened ;  no  sound  from  above 
stairs ;  the  stertorous  breathing  of  his  victim 
and  the  rustling  of  the  leaves  on  the  huge  vine 
above  the  doorway  outside  were  the  only  sounds 
audible.  Once  more  prying  up  the  brick,  and 
pulling  the  iron  ring,  he  pressed  down  one  end 
of  the  stone  and  the  empty  cavity  lay  before  him 


60  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  his  prey.  With  considerable  difficulty  he 
managed  to  get  the  man's  body  into  the  hole 
beneath  the  stone.  He  then  stopped  another 
moment  in  his  work  to  look  down  upon  his 
enemy's  form.  His  revengeful  meditation  was 
soon  interrupted  by  the  sound  of  a  shuffling 
footstep  descending  the  stair.  He  must  hasten, 
complete  his  work,  and  flee.  So  after  one  more 
push,  and  muttering  "  after  fourteen  years,"  he 
hastily  swung  the  stone  back  into  place,  leaving 
his  enemy  buried  beneath  it.  He  replaced  the 
brick,  sprinkled  ashes  around  so  as  to  obliterate 
all  traces  of  his  work,  removed  the  table  and  bench 
from  the  inner  door,  and  was  gone. 

They  had  ridden  an  hour  or  more  in  silence, 
and  the  early  streaks  of  the  coming  day  were  fast 
spreading  over  the  horizon.  Tonti's  thoughts, 
stimulated  by  the  possession  of  so  much  gold, 
had  crossed  the  seas  and  were  ranging  through 
the  endless  delights  and  dangers  of  life  in  the 
New  World.  Pompon,  too,  was  busy  tasting 
the  sweets  of  revenge  long  deferred.  At  length 
he  spoke  to  his  companion  : 

"While  you  were  gaining  an  entrance  at  the 
inn,  I  slipped  away  and  visited  a  neighboring 
house.  There  I  made  inquiries  about  our  inn 
keeper,  and  found  that  we  were  old  acquaintances." 

"  How  so?  "  asked  Tonti  in  some  surprise. 


The  Punishment  of  Mine  Host       61 

"  You  remember  I  told  you  how  Colbert  em 
ployed  one  of  his  creatures,  a  secret  agent  of  the 
Jesuits  (one  Feriol  by  name),  to  swear  to  a  false 
accusation  so  that  I  could  be  sent  to  the  Bastille, 
with  at  least  a  show  of  justice  ?  " 

"  Yes.     And  this  fellow  was  —  " 

"  Was  the  same  person,  now  grown  fat  and 
rich  from  the  reward  of  his  infamous  lie  ;  the  man 
to  whose  blasphemous  oath  I  owe  my  fourteen 
years  of  living  death,  the  dungeon  and  the  gal 
leys.  It  was  a  merry  meeting,  we  two  old 
friends." 

Tonti  started  in  spite  of  himself  at  the  strange 
ness  of  the  man's  voice,  which  blended  at  the 
same  instant  a  terrible  intensity  of  hatred  with  a 
delightful  pleasure  as  of  one  who  rolls  some  rare 
morsel  upon  his  tongue  before  swallowing  it.  A 
suspicion  of  what  might  have  happened  after  he 
left  Pompon  alone  with  his  long-hated  enemy 
crossed  his  mind. 

"  What  did  you  do  to  him  ?  "  he  asked  abruptly. 

"  I  searched  him  until  I  found  the  secret  ring 
that  identifies  him  with  the  Jesuits.  That  I  took, 
for  we  may  find  it  a  powerful  aid  in  case  of  need," 
was  the  evasive  reply. 

"  And  was  that  all  ?  "   queried  Tonti  sternly. 

"  Certainement  !  What  would  you  ?  He  slept ; 
I  merely  put  him  to  bed." 


Chapter   Five 

DEALS  WITH  A  FEAST,  AND  SHOWS  HOW 
TONTI  MEETS  WITH  BEAUTY  AND  THE 
BEAST  AND  GETS  A  BLOW  FOR  HIS  PAINS 

THE  next  noon  found  Tonti  and  Pompon 
back  in  their  quarters  in  the  Place  de  la 
Greve.  Pompon  once  more,  with  dyed 
face  and  sailor  clothes,  played  the  servant,  for  fear 
of  discovery  by  some  outsider  coming  in  upon 
them  suddenly. 

The  table  was  set  for  three,  and  the  evidence 
of  their  recently  acquired  wealth  was  seen  in  the 
profuse  expenditure  for  the  meal  before  them. 
The  nearest  cook-shop  had  been  called  into 
requisition,  and  the  owner  thereof  gasped  with 
surprise  at  the  number  and  quality  of  the  dishes 
ordered  to  be  served  in  a  garret  bedroom. 

A  pot  of  steaming  bouillon  sat  at  one  end  of 
the  table,  while  down  the  middle  of  the  board 
were  placed  a  dish  of  mackerel  cooked  in  fennel, 
a  whole  pheasant,  three  great  slices  of  ham,  a 
plate  of  mutton  seasoned  with  garlic,  a  capon, 
a  bowl  of  salad,  a  small  dish  of  the  new  vegetable 
pease,  two  large  dishes  of  pastry,  and,  to  top  it 

62 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  63 

off,  the  greatest  delicacy  of  all,  a  plate  of  oranges. 
For  lack  of  room  on  the  table,  six  large  bottles 
occupied  the  floor  near  by,  representing  the  liquid 
portion  of  the  feast. 

Pompon  was  putting  on  the  finishing  touches, 
whilst  Tonti  walked  up  and  down  impatiently,  as 
though  waiting  for  some  one. 

"  Corbleu  !  something  must  have  happened  to 
delay  him.  The  soup  will  grow  cold  if  he  does 
not  hurry,"  he  finally  exclaimed,  going  to  the 
window  and  looking  out. 

"  A  delay  is  better  than  a  disaster,"  remarked 
Pompon  sententiously. 

"  But  you  are  not  as  hungry  as  I,  mon  ami. 
Pardieu  I  but  the  sight  and  smell  of  yon  meal 
makes  my  eyes  to  weep  and  my  mouth  to 
water." 

"  Hunger  is  a  sharp,  fierce  dog.  Better  cross 
an  angry  man  than  a  fasting  man,"  was  the  reply. 
"  Remember,  though,  it  is  fourteen  years  since  I 
have  eaten  a  full  meal." 

"  A  long  time  to  wait,  surely,"  cried  La  Salle, 
as  he  entered  the  room.  "  I  '11  warrant  you  my 
few  minutes'  delay  has  seemed  almost  that  long 
to  my  future  lieutenant.  Is  it  not  so,  mon  cher 
Tonti?" 

"  Welcome,  mon  Capitaine,  to  the  feast.  I 
feared  you  would  miss  the  best  part  of  it  all,  and 
that  is  the  delicious  odor  arising  from  the  un- 


64  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

touched  dishes.  But,  peste !  here  I  am  talking, 
when  we  might  be  eating.  Be  seated  and  begin." 

So  saying,  Tonti  set  the  others  an  example 
by  sitting  down  himself.  Soon  the  clatter  of 
dishes  and  the  sound  of  hearty  mastication  took 
the  place  of  speech.  The  bottles  were  opened 
and  the  glu-glu  of  the  wine  as  it  was  poured  was 
added  to  the  sounds  of  the  feast.  There  was  no 
dainty  picking  of  food,  or  dawdling  away  of 
time.  Every  moment  was  made  to  count ;  and 
finally,  when  the  oranges  had  disappeared  and  the 
last  dish  was  emptied,  Tonti  leaned  back  with  a 
sigh. 

"  I  fear  a  late-comer  will  find  naught  but 
bones,"  he  exclaimed,  as  he  glanced  at  the  table ; 
then  added,  as  he  opened  another  bottle  :  "  Good 
drink  drives  out  bad  thoughts." 

"  The  first  draught  a  man  drinks  ought  to  be 
for  thirst,  the  second  for  nourishment,  the  third 
for  pleasure,"  said  La  Salle,  as  he  poured  out  his 
third  goblet. 

"  A  good  meal  is  worth  hanging  for,"  was 
Pompon's  verdict. 

From  all  of  which  it  may  safely  be  assumed 
that  they  were  well  content. 

"  Success  crowns  our  efforts  so  far,"  said  La 
Salle  thoughtfully.  "Word  came  to  me  at  my 
lodgings  in  the  Rue  de  la  Truanderie  early  this 
morning  that  His  Gracious  Majesty  would  grant 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  65 

me  an  audience  in  the  royal  bed-chamber  im 
mediately  after  his  levee.  I  went  and  received 
my  commission,  and  here  it  is ; "  and,  as  he 
spoke,  he  pulled  a  document  from  his  pocket. 
"Here,  you  see  the  beginning:  'Louis,  by  the 
grace  of  God  King" of  France  and  Navarre,  to 
our  dear  and  well-beloved  Robert  Cavelier,  Sieur 
de  la  Salle,  greeting.'  It  grants  all  I  asked  for 
and  more  too.  Listen  :  '  And  we  direct  the  Sieur 
Comte  de  Frontenac,  our  Governor  and  Lieu 
tenant  General,  and  also  Duchesneau,  Intendant 
of  Justice,  Police,  and  Finance,  and  the  officers  of 
the  Supreme  Council  of  the  aforesaid  country,  to 
see  to  the  execution  of  these  presents  ;  for  such 
is  our  pleasure.  Given  at  Paris  this  eighteenth 
day  of  June,  1678,  and  of  our  reign  the  thirty- 
fifth  year.  Signed,  Louis.' ' 

"  What  more  could  you  desire?  "  cried  Tonti, 
striking  the  table  with  his  iron  hand  and  making 
the  dishes  rattle. 

"  Money,"  was  the  laconic  reply. 

"  Parbleu !  Pompon,  we  had  forgotten,"  said 
Tonti,  in  some  confusion.  "  Where  is  the 
twenty  thousand  francs  we  promised  our  leader 
only  yesterday  ?  " 

Pompon,  who  had  carefully  separated  that 
amount  from  their  store,  handed  La  Salle  a  bag 
containing  it.  La  Salle  looked  somewhat  sur 
prised,  but  thanked  them. 

5 


66  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"The  King  has  promised  me  a  goodly  sum," 
he  continued.  "  The  notary  Simonet  has  loaned 
four  thousand  livres  ;  the  advocate  Raoul,  twenty- 
four  thousand ;  Dumont,  six  thousand ;  my 
cousin  Fran9ois  Plet  in  the  Rue  St.  Martin, 
eleven  thousand  ;  my  brothers  and  other  relatives 
have  stripped  themselves  for  me.  Now  your 
twenty  thousand  added  to  some  fourteen  thou 
sand  Comte  de  Frontenac  has  promised  me  on 
my  return  to  Quebec  will  make  up  the  necessary 
sum.  So  you  see  now  why  I  said  that  success 
crowns  my  efforts  so  far." 

"  What  else  is  needed  ?  "  asked  Pompon. 

"  Chiefly  a  commission  for  our  friend  Tonti," 
replied  La  Salle.  "  I  have  spoken  to  Colbert 
about  it  twice,  and  the  King  once.  The  Prince 
de  Conti  has  also  spoken  to  the  King,  so  I  have 
no  fear  of  the  result.  I  shall  take  you  to-morrow 
to  a  levfa  at  the  Palais.  You  can  then  meet  the 
King,  and,  I  hope,  gain  an  audience  with  him. 
You  must  plead  for  yourself,  if  you  find  he 
hesitates." 

"  Certainement,  my  tongue  is  as  good  as  my 
sword  when  it  comes  to  defending  myself,"  smiled 
Tonti. 

"  You  must  needs  look  your  best,  too,"  con 
tinued  La  Salle.  "  The  King  likes  to  have  even 
half-savage  explorers  appear  well  at  court."  And 
he  glanced  complacently  down  at  his  own  correct 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  67 

costume.  "  Besides,  who  knows  what  feminine 
bright  eyes  a  fresh  feather  or  a  new  doublet 
might  attract  ?  " 

"  Dame  !  What  bright  eyes  could  be  attracted 
to  a  poor  soldier  of  fortune  like  myself?  "  ex 
claimed  Tonti  soberly.  "  What  the  little  sinners 
are  after  is  a  husband  with  both  rank  and  wealth. 
They  would  have  naught  to  do  with  one  whose 
rank  is  that  of  captain,  and  whose  chateaux  and 
estates  can  be  carried  in  one  empty  pocket." 

"  Courage,  mon  brave,  courage  !  "  cried  La 
Salle  heartily.  {<  There  is  much  hope  for  you 
yet.  Look  at  me.  What  more  am  I  than  you  ? 
What  less  than  I  may  be  can  you  become?  Are 
we  not  both  on  a  footing  ?  Behold  fame  and 
honor  and  riches  for  us  both.  We  return  to 
France.  Ma  foil  she  has  waited;  she  is  ours." 

Tonti  smiled.  "  There  is  this  difference  be 
tween  us,  mon  Capitaine :  you  evidently  have 
found  the  One ;  I  can  see  but  the  many." 

La  Salle  seemed  somewhat  disconcerted  at  the 
interpretation  put  upon  his  words  by  his  friend. 
He  hesitated  a  moment  before  replying ;  then 
looking  earnestly  at  Tonti,  exclaimed  : 

"  Come,  mon  cher  Lieutenant,  since  we  are  to 
share  our  future  fortunes,  let  there  be  no  secrets 
between  us.  I  have  found  the  One.  Years  ago 
I  left  my  native  city  Rouen  to  enter  the  service 
of  the  Church.  I  became  u.  novice  in  the  So- 


oS  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

ciety  of  Jesus.  There  was  an  attraction  for  me 
in  that  organization,  spread  like  a  network 
throughout  the  world.  It  symbolized  to  me  that 
greatest  of  human  achievements,  Power.  But 
this  same  administration  of  power  caused  my 
situation  to  become  very  galling  to  me.  I  saw 
the  manifestation  of  power,  but  in  the  hands  of 
others;  I  was  subservient  to  it,  not  holding  it 
within  my  grasp.  I  soon  realized  that  to  be 
:-.-.^Y;V.,  :-^:  :.-.-  :nover,  to  become  the  passive 
instrument  of  another's  will,  to  surrender  my 
own  individuality  and  become  but  a  part,  an 
infinitesimal  part  of  one  great  whole,  would  in 
evitably  become  intolerable.  So  before  my  vows 
were  taken,  compelled  though  I  would  be  to 
surrender  to  them  my  patrimony,  I  withdrew 
from  the  Society  and  joined  my  brother  in 
Canada." 

"  You  have  a  brother  there  ?  "  asked  Tonti  in 
a  tone  of  surprise. 

<c  Yes,  the  Abbe  Jean  Cavelier,  a  Sulpitian 
priest.  Now,  during  all  my  religious  training  I 
was  taught  to  guard  myself  against  the  seduc 
tions  of  the  female  sex ;  that  women  were  but 
necessary  ev-ls." 

Here  a  plate  fell  from  the  hand  of  Pompon, 
who  was  engaged  in  clearing  off  the  table,  and 
lay  in  a  hundred  pieces  on  the  floor.  "  Cusstre!" 
he  muttered,  as  he  stooped  to  pick  up  the  frag- 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  69 

ments,  "  I  did  not  know  the  priests  taught  as 
much  wisdom  as  that." 

La  Salle  did  not  hear,  or  at  least  did  not  heed 
the  interruption. 

"  My  early  training  still  clung  to  me,  until, 
falling  ill  with  a  fever  while  on  a  visit  to  Mon 
treal,  I  was  nursed,  not  by  the  nuns,  but  at  the 
home  of  the  former  Governor  and  by  his  wife. 
Such  gentleness  and  .  tenderness  I  had  never 
known  save  for  a  far-off  remembrance  of  my 
mother,  who  died  when  I  was  a  small  child.  Then, 
too,  her  unselfish  devotion  and  steadfastness  to  her 
husband,  who  was  a  surly  brute,  but  who  really 
cared  for  her  in  his  own  peculiar  way,  was  a 
source  of  daily  surprise  and  admiration.  I  took 
away  her  firm  friendship  when  I  left,  and  also  a 
nature  changed  in  that  particular.  The  ground 
had  been  cleared,  the  soil  prepared,  and  it  only 
wanted  the  seed  to  be  dropped." 

"And  while  in  Paris  this  time — "  began 
Tonti. 

"  The  seed  was  sown,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Par bleu!  Good  news  this,"  cried  Tonti, 
seizing  his  goblet.  "  Devil  take  me  if  I  do  not 
envy  your  ability  to  choose.  To  me  each  face  is 
fairer,  each  eye  is  brighter,  and  each  waist  a  trifle 
more  slender  in  every  pretty  woman  I  meet,  than 
the  one  before.  He  spoke  truly  who  said  that  a 
beautiful  woman  was  the  hell  of  the  soul,  the 


jo  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

purgatory  of  the  purse,  and  the  paradise  of  the 
eyes.  But  come,  raise  up  your  cups  in  health  to 
the  future,  shall  I  say,  Comtesse  de  la  Salle  ?- 
Nay,  he  would  be  but  a  selfish  King  who  would 
reward  your  efforts  so  niggardly ;  he  will  be 
forced  to  make  you  a  Due.  So,  then,  to  the 
future  Duchesse  —  " 

La  Salle  raised  his  hand  deprecatingly.  "  Not 
so  fast,  mon  ami,  not  so  fast.  Mon  Dieu !  you 
will  have  me  married  and  a  grandfather  next. 
Unfortunately,  she  knows  nothing  of  my  devo 
tion,  and  I  fear,"  here  he  lapsed  into  a  lover's 
despondency,  "  would  care  little.  It  is  this  hope 
of  winning  her  that  spurs  me  on  in  my  labors. 
To  come  back  a  hero  and  un  riche  is  my  desire. 
Then  can  I  offer  her  something  worthy  her 
deserts." 

Tonti,  nothing  daunted,  replied  persistently, 
"  Her  health,"  and  mounting  with  one  foot  on 
his  chair  and  his  goblet  raised  aloft,  motioned 
to  his  two  friends  to  do  likewise.  Even  Pompon 
seemed  moved  by  his  infectious  exuberance,  and 
he  too  responded,  albeit  with  an  air  of  superior 
knowledge.  La  Salle  arose ;  the  rims  of  their 
drinking-cups  met.  "Her  name  !"  cried  Tonti. 

La  Salle  hesitated.  "  Not  now,"  he  said ; 
"wait  until  we  have  left  this  sunny  land  of 
France  behind  us.  Know  her  in  the  meantime 
as  (  The  Lily  of  Poitou.' ' 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  71 

"  The  Lily  of  Poitou  !  "  they  all  exclaimed  in 
unison,  and  a  moment  later  three  empty  goblets 
stood  together  upon  the  table  amid  the  remains 
of  the  feast. 

After  La  Salle's  departure,  Tonti  sat  in  his 
chair,  his  feet  sprawling  out  in  front  of  him, 
meditating.  "Dame!  if  I  do  not  begin  to  love 
that  man,"  he  cried,  looking  up.  "I  have  seen 
him  but  twice,  yet  he  somehow  has  reached  out 
and  gripped  my  heart  already." 

"  Certainement"  replied  Pompon,  as  he  ap 
proached  Tonti  and  seated  himself  opposite. 
"  But  how  le  bon  Dieu  can  permit  such  a  brave, 
such  a  valiant  gentilhomme  to  be  so  ignorant  con 
cerning  women !  But  he  will  learn  some  day 
that  that  man  never  lived  who  was  not  fooled  by 
a  woman." 

"  And  pray,  mon  cher  Pompon,  what  experi 
ence  could  you  have  had  with  women,  with  your 
fourteen  years  in  prison  and  the  galleys,  that  you 
must  needs  pretend  to  be  M.  Know-it-all  ? " 

"  Hein !  he  who  has  once  burnt  his  mouth 
always  blows  his  soup.  My  forty-four  years  of 
life  have  not  been  spent  without  learning  some 
lessons,  in  spite  of  my  years  in  prison.  One 
can  learn  much  before  he  is  thirty,"  was  the 
reply. 

Tonti,  although  surprised  at  thus  learning  the 


72  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

man's   age,  was  interested,  and  urged   his   com 
panion  to  relate  his  experience. 

"  I  have  not  much  to  tell  you  except  that  I 
have  learned  two  things ;  and  the  first  is  that  he 
who  takes  an  eel  by  the  tail  or  a  woman  at  her 
word  has  hold  of  nothing.  Like  our  friend,  I  was 
intended  for  the  Church  and  was  educated  for  ad 
mission  to  holy  orders.  I  fell  a  victim  to  the 
charms  of  a  girl,  and,  like  our  friend,  believed  all 
sorts  of  foolish  things  about  her.  I  gave  up  my 
plans  for  a  life  of  holiness  and  entered  into  trade 
with  a  merchant  of  Marseilles,  confident  in  the 
words  of  faith  she  spoke.  I  returned  in  a  year 
and  found  that  she  had  run  away  with  a  priest,  to 
my  great  undoing  and  the  damnation  of  his  soul. 
I  came  to  Paris,  saw  a  young  woman  who  would 
be  a  help  to  me  in  business,  and  married  her. 
She  grew  big  and  fat,  and  as  she  did  so  I  learned 
the  second  lesson ;  that  is,  that  a  woman's  tongue 
may  be  only  four  inches  long,  yet  it  can  kill  a 
man  even  six  feet  high.  She  took  to  drinking 
wine,  which  did  not  improve  her  temper.  We 
quarrelled  and  she  beat  me.  This  scar  above  my 
left  eye  is  in  her  handwriting.  Finally,  in  desper 
ation,  after  a  terrible  tongue-lashing,  I  stole  away 
one  dark  night  and  lost  myself  in  the  city  here. 
She  still  lives  and  has  become  a  fish-woman. 
During  my  escape  yesterday  I  saw  her  in  the 
crowd ;  it  was  she  who  slipped  the  dagger  into 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  73 

my  hand  after  freeing  me  from  my  bonds.  She 
did  not  recognize  me,  though.  It  was  the  only 
kindness  I  ever  received  from  her.  So  blame 
me  not,  mon  cher  ami,  when  I  warn  you  to  be 
ware  of  a  bad  woman  and  put  not  your  trust  in 
a  good  one." 

"  Peste!  You  have  some  reason,"  was  Tonti's 
reply.  "  If  I  were  our  good  friend  I  should 
probably  say  that  you  had  been  unfortunate, 
and  point  out  to  you  the  virtues  and  excellencies 
of  every  woman  I  met.  But,  ma  foil  I  know 
nothing  seriously  against  them,  while  any  one  but 
a  blind  man  would  be  a  fool  not  to  admire  their 
beauty." 

Rising  with  these  words,  Tonti  stretched  his 
arms  and  yawned.  "  I  must  be  off  to  get  my 
new  clothes  in  which  to  appear  before  His  Maj 
esty.  How  would  a  new  baldric  to  support  my 
sword,  with  a  design  worked  in  silver  and  pearls 
on  the  front,  do  ?  And  boots  of  fine  leather  with 
ornamented  tops  pushed  down  to  the  ankle  ? 
And  a  doublet  of  gray  or  brown  a  la  mode  with 
lace  about  the  throat?  And  a  cloak  of  dark 
Venetian  cloth  ?  And  three  curled  feathers  for 
the  hat  instead  of  two  ?  Darnel  if  I  only  look 
well  enough  I  too  may  be  moping  around  and 
telling  you  of  the  charms  and  graces  of  some 
fair  Unknown.  Ha,  ha,  ha!  Keep  quiet  until 
my  return ;  you  will  not  know  the  butterfly." 


74  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

And  giving  a  military  salute,  he  crowded  down 
his  hat  upon  his  head  and  marched  off  with  that 
swagger  that  only  a  soldier  can  learn  and  practice. 

His  errand  took  him  from  shop  to  shop,  seek 
ing  what  suited  him,  until  he  was  some  distance 
from  home.  At  the  last  place  he  took  off  his 
old  garments  and  directed  the  shopkeeper's  boy 
to  take  them  back  to  his  room,  and,  donning 
his  new  acquisitions,  he  sallied  forth  for  a  stroll 
before  returning  to  the  Place  de  la  Greve. 

The  streets  of  Paris  at  this  time  were  execrable, 
no  attempt  being  made  to  keep  them  other  than 
the  receptacle  for  all  the  accumulated  filth  and 
refuse  from  the  houses  that  lined  their  sides. 
The  discomfort  of  the  foot  passengers  was  aug 
mented  by  the  puddles  of  water  that  collected 
between  the  paving-stones,  many  of  which  had 
been  removed. 

Tonti  had  turned  into  a  neighboring  street, 
which  was  abominably  paved,  and  was  engaged 
in  gingerly  picking  his  way  so  as  to  avoid  both 
the  dirt  and  water,  when  he  beheld  a  sedan-chair 
slowly  approaching  him.  The  bearers  were  in 
livery,  and  the  chair  was  of  so  fine  a  make  as  to 
indicate  that  the  owner  was  a  person  of  rank  and 
wealth. 

"  Perchance  some  such  chair  contains  my  Lily 
of  Poitou,"  muttered  Tonti  to  himself;  and  as  he 
did  so,  he  smiled  at  the  thought  of  his  ever  being 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  75 

able  to  give  up  woman  in  the  abstract  for  a 
woman,  however  beautiful. 

While  engaged  thus,  he  did  not  hear  the  warn 
ing  sound  of  horse's  hoofs  upon  the  paving- 
stones  close  behind  him.  It  was  only  when  this 
sound  was  accompanied  by  a  harsh  human  voice 
that  he  turned  quickly  and  leaped  aside,  as  he 
saw  a  horseman  riding  at  full  speed  almost  upon 
him.  He  did  not  escape  entirely,  for  the  huge 
stirrup  of  the  rider  caught  him  a  blow  in  the 
side  that  nearly  overthrew  him,  while  at  the 
same  time  a  shower  of  mingled  mud  and  water 
from  the  horse's  hoofs  splashed  over  his  new 
boots. 

He  sprang  forward  with  an  angry  cry,  his  hand 
on  his  sword,  in  pursuit  of  the  man  whose  care 
lessness  had  caused  the  accident.  The  blow  in 
the  side  did  not  ruffle  him  half  as  much  as  the 
ruin  of  the  boots  he  had  paid  two  hundred  livres 
for  within  the  hour.  The  man  turned  in  his 
saddle,  and  shook  his  fist  at  him,  but  did  not 
slacken  his  speed.  Wrapped  as  he  was  in  a  huge 
cloak,  with  his  hat  pulled  down  over  his  eyes, 
Tonti  could  not  get  a  glimpse  of  his  face.  His 
cry,  however,  soon  changed  from  one  of  anger 
to  that  of  alarm  and  warning,  for  the  man,  still 
half  turned  in  his  saddle,  and  regarding  Tonti 
with  a  menacing  air,  did  not  see  that  his  horse 
was  about  to  collide  with  the  chair  and  its 


y6  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

bearers.  He  turned  as  he  heard  their  warning 
shouts,  but  not  in  time  to  change  his  horse's 
course,  who  the  next  moment  plunged  into  the 
first  bearer,  knocking  him  down,  and  dashed 
against  the  side  of  the  chair  with  sufficient  force 

o 

to  send  it  toppling  over  with  a  crash,  despite  the 
efforts  of  the  bearer  in  the  rear  to  prevent  its 
overthrow. 

The  horse  staggered,  and  finally  stumbled, 
sending  his  rider  sprawling  on  the  pavement. 
He  was  not  hurt,  for  he  jumped  up,  and  after 
his  horse  had  arisen,  climbed  into  the  saddle  and 
was  about  to  go  on,  unmindful  of  the  damage  he 
had  already  wrought.  Tonti,  hearing  a  feminine 
scream  from  the  interior  of  the  chair  as  it  went 
over,  started  to  assist  in  righting  it,  but  before  he 
reached  the  spot  the  two  bearers  had  already 
succeeded  in  doing  so  ;  then  too,  the  sight  of 
the  doer  of  all  this  mischief  about  to  make  his 
escape  changed  his  purpose,  so  not  stopping  at 
the  place  of  the  accident,  he  rushed  on  toward 
the  horse  and  rider.  He  reached  them  just  in 
time  to  seize  the  horse's  rein,  and  hinder  his 
further  progress. 

"  Diamine  !  You  insolent  fellow,  what  mean 
you  by  running  into  me  and  overturning  yonder 
lady's  chair?"  he  cried,  breathless  from  his 
exertions. 

"  Let  go  my  rein,  you  flea-bitten  cur,"  was  the 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  77 

insulting  reply.  "  How  dare  you  ?  I  ride  upon 
the  King's  business ;  "  and,  raising  his  whip,  he 
made  a  move  as  though  to  strike  Tonti  across 
the  face.  Tonti  saw  the  movement,  and  quick 
as  thought  had  his  sword-point  against  the  man's 
breast. 

"  Make  but  one  motion  with  that  whip  or  one 
effort  to  escape  and  I  shall  spit  you  like  I  would 
any  other  carrion.  King's  business  or  no,  you 
must  first  return  and  make  amends  to  the  occu 
pant  of  yon  chair,  and  then  disclose  your  name 
and  face  to  me,  so  that  if  you  are  not  the  street- 
scum  your  actions  indicate  you  to  be,  I  can  have 
the  pleasure  of  crossing  swords  with  you.  Come, 
about  face;"  and,  so  speaking,  Tonti  turned  the 
horse's  head  and  led  both  horse  and  rider  back 
to  the  chair.  Still  keeping  his  sword  drawn,  he 
advanced  to  the  window,  whose  curtain  was  down, 
and,  bowing,  said  in  a  respectful  voice : 

"  It  grieves  me  truly,  Madame,  that  this  fright 
should  have  occurred  to  you,  and  I  hope  that 
you  are  not  injured  by  the  overthrow.  Believe 
me,  the  cause  of  it  shall  be  justly  punished  for 
his  insolence.  As  the  first  step  in  that  punish 
ment  I  have  brought  him  to  you  to  force  him,  at 
the  point  of  my  sword,  if  necessary,  to  make  due 
reparation  to  you  and  to  uncloak  his  face  so  that 
I  may  know  whether  he  is  worthy  for  a  soldier  to 
meet  upon  the  field  of  honor." 


78  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

While  speaking  he  involuntarily  lowered  his 
sword  a  trifle.  The  rider  saw  his  opportunity, 
and  suddenly  digging  the  spurs  into  his  horse, 
he  jerked  the  rein  from  Tonti's  hand,  and  as 
he  passed  struck  him  a  stinging  blow  upon  the 
cheek  with  his  whip,  saying  in  a  voice  filled  with 
hatred  :  "  Thus  do  I  brand  my  dogs,"  and  was 
gone  at  full  gallop  down  the  street. 

At  the  first  sound  of  the  man's  voice,  the  oc 
cupant  of  the  chair  gave  another  little  feminine 
shriek,  and  as  Tonti  looked  after  the  fleeing 
enemy,  his  cheek  red  and  tingling  from  the  lash, 
choking  with  anger  at  the  insult,  he  was  vaguely 
conscious  that  a  corner  of  the  curtain  was  raised 
and  a  pair  of  eyes  were  regarding  him  furtively. 
He  must  have  been  mistaken,  for  when  he  turned 
again  the  curtain  was  motionless. 

"  The  wretch  has  fled.  I,  however,  marked 
well  his  horse  and  shall  search  the  city  until  I 
find  it,  and  then  its  owner.  I  shall  fight  him 
with  a  greater  joy  now  that  I  have  his  insult  to 
you  to  avenge  as  well  as  mine  own,"  he  said  gal 
lantly,  sheathing  his  sword  and  picking  up  his  hat. 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  for  your  assistance,  but  do 
not,  I  beg  of  you,  fight  with  that  man;  he  is  an 
expert  swordsman  and  a  person  without  honor, 
who  would  take  any  advantage  of  you,  so  as  he 
could  kill  you,"  came  in  half-abashed  and  falter 
ing  earnest  tones  from  the  interior  of  the  chair. 


Beauty  and  the  Beast  79 

The  voice  was  that  of  a  woman,  young,  refined, 
and  presumably  beautiful  ;  at  least  a  rare  beauty 
should  properly  accompany  a  voice  as  rich  in  its 
modulations  and  as  clear  in  tone  as  it  was. 

Some  such  thought  flashed  through  Tonti's 
mind,  as  he  bowed  his  head  so  as  to  bring  it  near 
the  window,  and  spoke  in  a  voice  low  enough  to 
escape  the  ears  of  the  bearers,  who  stood  ready  to 
proceed  with  the  chair.  "  May  I  not  be  rewarded 
by  a  sight  of  the  fair  one  I  found  in  distress,  and, 
like  a  true  knight,  have  endeavored  to  relieve?  " 

There  was  no  reply  for  a  moment,  then  the 
curtains  suddenly  parted  and  he  saw  before  him 
the  smiling  face  of  a  young  girl,  whose  beauty 
seized  and  thrilled  him.  Only  a  glimpse,  and 
the  curtains  were  again  closed  and  the  word  of 
command  given  to  the  bearers.  Tonti  was  in 
ecstasy  and  despair,  when  a  small  white  ungloved 
hand  appeared  between  the  curtains.  He  seized 
it  in  one  of  his,  and,  bending  low,  kissed  it. 
Another  instant  he  stood  hat  in  hand,  watching 
the  chair  disappear  around  a  neighboring  corner, 
while  in  his  grasp  he  held  a  dainty  kerchief,  in  one 
corner  of  which  was  embroidered  the  letter  "  R." 

He  pressed  it  to  his  lips,  and,  noting  the  letter, 
exclaimed:  "Mine  is  no  lily;  'R'  stands  for 
'  Rose,'  and,  since  the  fairest  are  found  in  Nor 
mandy,  I  shall  call  her  my  f  Rose  of  Normandy  ' 
for  want  of  a  better  name."  And  all  through 


80  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

that  night  a  certain  lodger  in  the  Place  de  la 
Greve  dreamed  of  many  conflicts  and  battles, 
all  of  which  ended  in  his  being  victorious  and 
standing  on  a  high  spot  somewhere,  drinking 
the  blood  of  his  enemies  to  the  health  of  his 
"  Rose  of  Normandy." 


Chapter    Six 

A    DARK    CHAPTER,  DEALING    WITH    A    DARK 
NIGHT,    DARK    MEN,   AND    DARK    ERRANDS 

THE  rain  that  had  threatened  during  the 
day  broke  over  the  city  at  night,  in 
an  almost  unparalleled  tempest.  The 
lightning  played  about  the  spires  of  Notre  Dame 
and  other  churches,  so  that  many  beads  were 
told  and  prayers  offered  for  the  safety  of  the  city, 
in  hope  of  warding  off  the  vengeance  of  offended 
Deity.  But  there  were  many  abroad  that  night 
on  unholy  errands  who  feared  rather  the  Devil 
and  his  crew  of  demons  than  the  thunder-bolts 
of  Heaven.  It  was  the  age  of  Mystery  and  the 
Black  Art,  and  many  there  were  who,  not  satis 
fied  with  offerings  made  within  the  sacred  edi 
fices,  sought  how  they  might  likewise  placate 
and  win  the  power  and  influence  of  His  Satanic 
Majesty,  Monsieur  Triable. 

Whilst  the  storm  was  at  its  height,  about 
eleven  by  the  clock,  the  figure  of  a  man  carefully 
cloaked  against  the  rain  and  recognition  might 
have  been  observed  making  his  way  along  a 
street  in  that  famous  (or  rather  infamous)  part 
6  81 


82  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

of  Paris  known  as  the  Quartier  Bonne-Nouvelle. 
He  fought  his  way  inch  by  inch  against  the  force 
of  the  wind  and  rain.  At  times  when  he  reached 
the  partial  shelter  of  a  wall  or  projecting  corner, 
he  halted  a  moment  to  gain  his  breath  or  re 
arrange  the  cloak  that  the  wind  tried  to  deprive 
him  of.  He  finally  turned  into  a  small  street, 
the  Rue  Beauregard,  that  was  almost  deserted. 
He  came  to  a  portion  that  seemed  to  traverse 
a  vast  vacant  space,  void  of  all  habitations  save 
one.  This  one  exception  was  a  large  mansion 
set  back  some  distance  from  the  street,  its  yard 
filled  with  trees  and  surrounded  on  all  sides  by 
a  high  stone  wall. 

A  feeble  light  secured  from  the  force  of  the 
wind  overlooked  a  narrow  opening  in  the  wall, 
which  was  filled  by  a  barred  gateway.  The  man 
stopped  beneath  the  light,  which  was  ingeniously 
arranged  so  as  to  throw  a  shadow  on  whoever 
stood  immediately  below  it.  He  hesitated  a 
moment,  and  then  pulled  at  a  knob  in  the  wall, 
which  evidently  communicated  with  a  mysterious 
bell,  for  in  a  moment  another  light  appeared  in 
the  hands  of  an  ugly,  cross-looking  dwarf,  who 
alternately  scowled  and  leered  at  the  visitor  as 
he  let  him  in. 

The  flashes  of  lightning  rendered  the  services 
of  the  dwarf's  torch  superfluous,  so  he  made  his 
way  rapidly  toward  the  house  without  waiting 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        83 

for  his  guide,  knocked,  and  was  immediately 
admitted.  The  brightness  of  the  interior  con 
trasted  so  strongly  with  the  darkness  of  the  night 

D    J  O 

outside  that  the  man  was  dazed  for  a  moment. 
He  was  led  into  a  small  waiting-room  and  left 
to  himself,  amid  a  profusion  of  gorgeous  furnish 
ings  that  seemed  strange  in  this  deserted  part 
of  the  city. 

But  there  was  reason  for  his  finding  his  sur 
roundings  strange  and  terrible,  for  he  was  within 
the  walls  of  the  most  infamous  home  of  crime 
and  villany  in  Paris.  It  was  none  other  than  the 
house  of  La  Voisin,  the  celebrated  sorceress, 
poisoner,  infanticide ;  the  Locusta  of  her  day ; 
the  Toffana  of  France.  Hither  came  the  husband 
seeking  to  be  rid  of  an  aging  wife  by  spell  or 
poison,  in  order  to  espouse  a  more  youthful 
beauty;  the  wife,  longing  for  freedom  from  a 
rich  but  distasteful  husband,  or  finding  here 
a  rendezvous  with  her  lover.  All  classes  of  the 
aristocracy  came  as  petitioners  at  the  shrine  of 
this  arch-priestess  of  hell.  Officers  of  the  army 
desiring  the  death  of  those  outranking  them ; 
magistrates,  ministers  of  State,  —  all  met  on  one 
common  level  of  hideous  crime. 

Here,  too,  came  the  first  women  of  the  court 
in  their  sedan-chairs  ;  duchesses,  ladies-in-waiting, 
countesses,  princesses,  to  gain  their  hearts'  desire, 
with  all  the  faith  and  earnestness  worthy  of  a 


84  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

better  cause.  Now  one  craved  a  love  philter  to 
overcome  a  lover's  coldness  or  neglect ;  another 
some  secret  essence  to  preserve  her  youthfulness 
against  the  ravages  wrought  by  the  life  of  fashion 
able  debauchery  in  which  all  lived. 

In  this  den  of  infamy  was  celebrated  the 
impious  Black  Mass,  wherein  the  liturgical  cere 
monies  of  the  Christian  Church  were  travestied 
and  degraded  by  devilish  ingenuity  ;  in  which 
children  one  and  two  years  old  were  sacrificed  to 
Satan  as  at  a  heathen  festival.  There,  too,  came 
Madame  de  Montespan,  and  in  an  elaborate  ser 
vice,  with  impious  priest  and  desecrated  altar, 
rendered  full  homage  to  the  Prince  of  Darkness, 
craving  his  aid  to  win  for  her  the  love  of  the 
King,  the  confusion  of  her  enemies,  and  the  grati 
fication  of  her  desires. 

Within  a  small  waiting-room,  the  visitor  awaited 
his  turn  to  interview  the  mistress  of  the  establish 
ment.  He  removed  his  cloak  and  hat,  and  stood 
revealed  to  an  observer  as  a  young  man  of 
twenty-five,  tall,  with  dark  hair  and  black  over 
arching  eyebrows  which  seemed  to  scowl  con 
tinually.  His  face  was  smooth,  save  a  few  hairs 
on  the  under  lip,  which  he  pulled  at  nervously 
as  he  stood  or  walked  up  and  down  the  floor 
of  the  apartment.  His  eyes  were  deep-set,  and 
gleamed  with  the  light  of  the  unquenched  fires 
of  dark  desire  within  their  depths.  His  cheek- 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        85 

bones  rather  accentuated  the  deep-seatedness  of 
his  eyes  ;  a  sensuous  mouth  betrayed  the  volup 
tuary,  while  a  receding  chin  gave  a  mixed  impres 
sion  of  instability  and  waywardness.  A  finely 
curved  aquiline  nose  showed  good  birth,  and 
hands,  white  and  well  cared  for,  demonstrated  a 
life  of  idleness  and  pleasure.  A  certain  air  of 
ease  and  lack  of  self-consciousness  in  all  his 
movements  indicated  association  and  even  famil 
iarity  with  those  in  authority.  On  the  whole, 
he  seemed  a  fair  sample  of  the  well-bred  courtier 
of  his  day. 

At  length,  just  as  a  distant  clock  chimed 
twelve,  a  door  opened  and  another  dwarf  ap 
peared,  and  approaching  him  asked  for  his  name. 

"  Le  Comte  de  Miron,"  was  the  reply  made  in 
a  low  voice. 

Again  the  dwarf  disappeared,  but  returned 
shortly,  and  motioning  to  the  young  man,  led  the 
way  into  the  adjoining  room. 

Here  were  found  the  same  rich  hangings  and 
priceless  tapestries.  High  carved  chairs,  their 
seats  banked  up  with  varicolored  silken  pillows, 
were  arranged  against  the  wall  on  three  sides  of 
the  room.  A  dim  light  came  through  the  centre 
of  the  ceiling  from  an  unknown  source,  and  was 
suffused  throughout  the  apartment  by  means  of 
glass  prisms,  forming  a  softened  yet  serviceable 
glow.  In  the  middle  of  the  floor  stood  a  small 


86  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

fountain  of  translucent  marble,  whose  tiny  jets  of 
perfumed  water  rendered  the  air  as  agreeable  to 
the  nostrils  as  the  other  furnishings  attracted  the 
eye.  The  musical  cadence  of  a  lute,  played  by  a 
hand  invisible,  always  soft  and  low,  but  some 
times  dying  away  to  the  finest  attenuation  of 
sound,  greeted  the  ear  of  the  newcomer.  Across 
the  further  end  of  the  room  were  stretched  silken 
curtains.  From  behind  these  hangings  issued  a 
soft  voice  commanding  the  young  man  to  ad 
vance.  He  did  so,  and  knelt  directly  in  front  of 
the  mysterious  drapery.  From  his  close  proxim 
ity  he  discovered  that  the  silk  was  almost  trans 
parent,  so  that  the  form  of  a  woman  could  be 
faintly  discerned,  yet  not  with  sufficient  clearness 
to  enable  one  to  recognize  her  face. 

"  What  seek  you  of  the  Powers  of  Darkness  ?  " 
demanded  the  voice. 

"  "  I  seek  first,  most  powerful  Priestess,  a  charm 
to  win  the  hand  of  one,  Renee  d'Outrelaise, 
friend  and  companion  of  Mademoiselle,  whose 
lovely  person  I  desire.  Next,  the  means  for  a 
sure  and  speedy  death  of  a  relative  whose  heir  I 
am.  And  lastly,  I  crave  thy  aid  to  nerve  my 
arm  and  protect  my  body  in  a  duel  I  shall  shortly 
fight  with  a  foreign  soldier." 

"  Truly,  thy  wants  are  many  and  great.  What 
offering  have  you  to  make  before  the  Devil's 
shrine  ?  " 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        87 

"  Ten  thousand  livres  ;  "  and,  as  he  spoke,  he 
drew  from  his  bosom  a  bag  of  clinking  gold  and 
stretched  it  forth.  A  hand  protruded  itself 
through  the  curtains  and  seized  it.  There  was 
silence  for  a  moment  or  two,  as  the  priestess 
examined  the  contents.  All  seemed  satisfactory, 
for  in  a  moment  the  hand  reappeared  bearing  a 
tiny  charm  of  silk  an  inch  square  attached  to  a 
fine  gold  chain. 

"  Take  this,"  was  the  command.  "  Gain  but  a 
single  hair  from  the  head  of  her  whose  hand  you 
seek  to  win,  inclose  it  in  this  silken  bag,  and  wear 
it.  Within  a  year  the  girl  is  yours." 

The  Comte  de  Miron  seized  the  chain  eagerly 
and  placed  it  about  his  neck.  Again  the  hand 
appeared  from  behind  the  curtain.  This  time  it 
held  a  small  phial  containing  a  rose-red  fluid. 

"  Drop  one  drop  daily  into  your  relative's  wine. 
He  will  soon  begin  to  droop  and  weaken,  and  be 
fore  this  precious  liquid  is  used  up  he  will  die,  and 
no  leech  can  save  him  nor  distinguish  his  malady." 

The  young  man  took  the  poison.  A  moment 
later  the  hand  was  again  before  him,  this  time 
holding  two  pieces  of  thin,  strange-looking  metal 
about  the  shape  of  a  pistole. 

"  Sew  these  at  midnight  before  the  duel,  one 
on  your  right  sleeve  to  give  your  sword-arm 
strength  and  cunning,  the  other  over  against  your 
heart  to  protect  your  body." 


88  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

So  saying,  the  voice  ceased  and  the  bits  of 
metal  fell  into  his  outstretched  palm.  A  slight 
noise  at  his  elbow  caused  the  Comte  to  start  and 
turn  in  that  direction,  when  he  beheld  the  same 
dwarf  that  had  ushered  him  into  the  room  stand 
ing  with  his  cloak  and  hat  ready.  He  quickly 
donned  these,  and  after  being  led  toward  the  wall 
by  his  deformed  guide,  a  secret  door  sprang  open 
and  an  instant  later  he  found  himself  standing  in 
the  Rue  de  Beauregard,  with  the  rain  still  falling 
in  torrents  about  him. 

Through  the  same  storm  that  broke  about  the 
head  of  the  young  Comte  de  Miron,  as  he  went 
about  his  nefarious  errand,  another  cloaked  fig 
ure  of  a  man  might  have  been  seen  hurrying  to 
a  midnight  appointment  in  another  portion  of 
the  city.  This  person,  too,  feared  neither  God 
nor  Devil.  As  he  passed  Notre  Dame,  he 
stopped  a  moment  in  the  shadows,  and  looked 
up  through  the  murk  at  the  massive  structure  in 
admiration  of  the  inherent  strength  and  power 
that  enabled  it,  inanimate  though  it  was,  to  fling 
defiance  to  the  lowering  thunder  clouds,  and 
stand  unshaken  before  the  bufFetings  of  wind  and 
rain. 

It  must  needs  be  business  of  great  import  that 
would  take  a  human  being  out  in  such  a  storm. 
Whatever  his  object,  the  man's  purpose  never 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        89 

for  a  moment  wavered  as  he  fought  against  the 
sweep  of  the  drenching  blast  that  he  encountered 
while  crossing  the  Pont  Notre  Dame.  Turning 
and  walking  along  the  river-bank  for  a  short  dis 
tance,  he  finally  entered  a  small  and  obscure  cross- 
street.  He  proceeded  along  this,  until  he  was 
directly  in  front  of  a  dilapidated  building  situated 
in  the  rear  of  the  Hotel  de  Ville.  Here  he 
stopped  and  gave  a  peculiar  whistle,  which  could 
not  have  been  heard  for  more  than  twenty  paces, 
because  of  the  uproar  of  the  storm.  A  dark 
figure,  securely  muffled  like  his  own,  appeared  at 
his  side,  as  suddenly  and  mysteriously  as  though 
he  had  come  up  through  the  earth.  A  sign  was 
given  and  returned,  and  the  heads  of  the  two 
men  approached  each  other,  while  their  lips 
moved  in  some  mysterious  interchange  of  words. 
All  seemed  well,  for  the  first  conspirator  turned, 
and,  opening  a  narrow  door  with  a  small  key,  dis 
appeared,  followed  by  the  other.  They  felt  their 
way  along  a  pitch  dark  passage.  Again  a  key 
was  used,  and  a  word  of  caution  heard  from  the 
leader  as  they  descended  a  flight  of  stairs  into  a 
subterranean  way.  This  was  soon  traversed,  and 
a  door  was  reached,  through  whose  cracks  and 
keyhole  a  light  appeared.  This  opened  into  a 
room  built  entirely  underground  and  lighted  by  a 
large  lamp.  A  table  occupied  the  centre  of  the 
floor,  and  several  chairs  were  scattered  about.  A 


90  A-  Rose  of  Normandy 

large  brazier  of  lighted  charcoal  warmed  the  air 
and  dissipated  the  moisture  of  the  place.  An 
opening  in  the  roof  leading  to  the  outside  world 
somewhere  gave  sufficient  ventilation. 

The  door  being  closed,  the  leader  threw  off  his 
cloak  and  muffler  and  advanced  to  the  brazier, 
spreading  his  hands  above  the  glowing  coals  with 
a  slight  shiver.  At  length  he  turned  and  showed 
by  the  lamplight  the  form  and  features  of  Jean 
Baptiste  Colbert,  Minister  of  Finance,  the  most 
powerful  as  well  as  the  most  energetic  of  the 
King's  servants:  of  middle  stature,  rather  lean 
than  fat ;  black  hair,  so  thin  that  he  always  wore 
a  cap  ;  of  low  and  dejected  mien,  gloomy  air,  and 
stern  aspect ;  eyes  usually  half  closed,  giving  him 
the  appearance  of  great  craftiness  ;  his  outward 
behavior  modest  and  accompanied  by  much  seem 
ing  plainness  and  simplicity ;  sober,  sleeping 
little,  always  alert ;  hard  and  inflexible  of  temper, 
beholding  without  concern  the  misery  of  an  in 
finite  number  whom  he  had  ruined  to  enrich  his 
master's  treasury,  and  hence  advance  his  own 
interests.  Nicknamed  "  The  Man  of  Marble," 
he  sacrificed  honor,  integrity,  gratitude,  and 
everything  else  for  the  benefit  of  his  ambition. 

His  companion  also  removed  the  covering 
about  his  face  and  neck.  His  dress  was  that  of  a 
man  of  the  lower  classes,  his  face  pale,  sharply 
cut  and  ascetic.  His  manner  toward  his  com- 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        91 

panion  was  that  of  an  inferior  in  the  presence  of 
his  superior  in  authority.     Colbert  spoke  first. 

"  A  terrible  night,"  he  said  with  another  shiver 
that  convulsed  his  entire  frame,  and  caused  him 
to  seek  again  the  grateful  glow  of  the  coals. 

"  Truly,  a  fearful  storm,"  replied  the  other. 
"  But  it  is  necessary  for  members  of  our  Order 
to  be  about  the  Order's  business  ad  majorem 
Dei  gloriam  in  spite  of  the  raging  of  the  elements." 

Colbert  sat  down  in  one  of  the  chairs  near  the 
table,  motioned  to  his  companion  to  approach  and 
dry  himself,  and  after  seizing  a  quill  and  drawing 
near  his  elbow  the  ink-horn  and  parchment  that 
lay  there  ready  for  use,  he  commanded  the  other 
to  relate  his  story. 

"  I  left  Quebec,"  began  the  Jesuit  messenger, 
for  he  was  none  other,  "  in  November  and  reached 
La  Rochelle  in  January  last.  The  day  after 
landing  I  was  seized  with  a  terrible  fever,  con 
tracted  on  board  ship.  When  I  recovered  I 
found  that  two  months  had  elapsed.  I  bore  with 
me  a  message  from  the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  who, 
although  not  a  member  of  our  Order,  is  very 
friendly  to  it.  I  was  instructed  to  deliver  it  to 
you  in  person  and  to  avoid  all  help  from  the 
members  of  our  Order  in  France,  so  that  none 
would  know  that  the  Jesuits  in  Quebec  were  com 
municating  with  you.  I  started  from  La  Rochelle 
penniless  and  alone.  Deprived  of  the  support 


92  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

of  my  Order,  I  was  obliged  to  beg  my  way. 
The  fever  left  me  with  a  running  sore  upon  my 
leg.  By  exhibiting  this  to  the  passers-by,  I  was 
enabled  to  get  the  money  to  live  on.  A  relapse 
confined  me  to  bed  for  another  month,  when  I 
had  arrived  within  ten  leagues  of  Paris.  I  sent 
you  word  requesting  an  interview  ;  you  appointed 
the  time  and  place,  and  here  I  am." 

During  this  recital,  Colbert  had  watched  the 
features  of  the  speaker  with  a  keen  gaze,  and  now 
and  then  made  a  note  of  place  and  circumstance 
upon  the  parchment  for  future  corroboration. 
When  he  had  finished,  he  said  coldly  : 

"  You  have  done  well.  Where  is  the  mes 
sage  ?  " 

The  man  in  reply  bent  down  and  began  un 
winding  a  heavy  bandage  from  about  his  leg. 
The  end  reached,  a  huge  open  sore  was  disclosed 
below  the  knee.  Inserting  his  little  finger  within 
the  sore  and  pressing  from  the  outside  with  his 
other  hand,  a  small  piece  of  lead  the  shape  and 
size  of  a  bullet  was  squeezed  out  from  the 
wound. 

"  A  safe  hiding-place,"  he  remarked,  as  he 
carefully  wiped  it ;  "  besides,  it  served  to  keep 
the  wound  open  and  running." 

Bringing  the  piece  of  lead  to  the  light,  he 
pulled  the  ends  apart,  which  revealed  a  cavity 
neatly  hollowed  out.  Within  this  hole  was  a 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        93 

piece  of  very  thin  oiled  silk  rolled  up  into  as 
compact  a  mass  as  possible. 

Colbert  opened  it  and  spread  it  out.  There 
was  nothing  visible  on  it,  but  he  opened  a  drawer 
in  the  table,  and,  taking  out  a  small  flask  of 
liquid,  touched  the  surface  of  the  silk  lightly  with 
a  drop.  Instantly  a  written  word  appeared  dis 
tinctly  and  then  faded  away  slowly.  He  seemed 
to  be  satisfied  at  this,  so  laying  the  message  upon 
the  table,  he  arose,  and  turning  to  the  man  asked 
if  he  were  dry.  His  companion  understood  that 
he  was  dismissed,  so,"after  bandaging  up  his  leg 
and  muffling  his  face,  he  moved  toward  the  door, 
accompanied  by  Colbert,  who  followed  him,  open 
ing  the  successive  doors  until  he  reached  the  street. 

When  he  returned,  he  reseated  himself,  and, 
taking  up  the  bit  of  silk,  began  the  task  of  finding 
out  what  it  contained.  As  he  applied  a  drop 
of  the  secret  fluid  to  each  word  he  quickly  wrote 
it  down  on  parchment  before  it  faded.  Word 
by  word  he  revealed  the  message  until  the  end. 
Then  putting  the  original  away  in  a  secret  place, 
he  took  up  the  copy  and  read  as  follows  : 

"The  chiefest  among  my  Jesuit  friends  here  have  urged 
me  to  write  this  letter  to  you,  promising  that  a  trusty 
messenger  shall  deliver  it  into  your  own  hands.  They 
beg  me  to  implore  you  to  use  your  great  power  to  retard 
and  hinder  the  plans  of  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  who  is  now 
in  France.  His  projects  of  colonization  and  exploration 


94  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

are  in  direct  rivalry  to  the  work  of  the  missionaries  of 
your  Order,  while  the  extension  of  his  fur-trade  with 
the  savages  takes  them  out  of  the  power  and  influence 
of  the  Church.  The  fathers  desire  to  keep  the  fur-trade 
to  themselves,  and  feel  that  he,  because  of  his  well-known 
enmity  to  the  Order,  can  do  them  great  injury. 

"  LAVAL, 

"Bishop  of  Quebec" 

In  nearly  every  land  of  the  then  known  world, 
in  every  court  and  palace,  there  were  stationed 
secret  emissaries  of  the  great  Society  of  Jesus. 
The  minister  of  many  a  King,  even  the  servants 
of  the  bed-chamber,  the  cloth-merchant,  the  inn 
keeper,  the  horseshoer,  the  slavey  in  the  kitchen, 
—  all  were  enrolled  among  the  faithful  adherents 
of  this  mighty  Order,  forming  one  of  its  important 
sub-divisions. 

Colbert  was  one  of  these.  To  render  strict 
obedience  he  should  have  placed  the  welfare  of 
the  Order  above  every  other  consideration.  But 
as  has  been  indicated,  the  one  great  impulse  of 
the  man's  life  was  ambition,  that  could  use 
everything  for  an  aid,  but  would  allow  nothing 
to  overshadow  it.  The  Jesuits  were  a  terrible 
enemy,  and  a  most  valuable  ally  ;  hence  he  chose 
them  as  the  latter,  doing  what  he  could  to  further 
their  plans  and  win  their  esteem,  so  long  as  it 
did  not  interfere  with  his  own  projects.  A  serious 
clash  of  the  two  interests  had  never  arisen  before. 


A  Dark  Night  and  Dark  Men        95 

But  now  the  issue  must  be  met,  for  chief  among 
his  plans  for  the  glory  of  France  and  of  her  King 
(and  hence  indirectly  for  his  own  aggrandizement) 
was  the  development  and  exploration  of  the 
western  wilds  of  New  France.  Already  were  the 
Dutch  and  English  and  Spaniards  pressing  for 
ward  with  men  and  gold,  hurrying  forth  explor 
ing  expeditions  led  by  men  of  courage  and 
resource.  He  well  knew  that  whichever  nation 
first  explored  the  unknown  region  adjoining  the 
present  holding  of  France  in  the  New  World  ; 
he  who  planted  trading-posts  and  gained  the  aid 
and  friendship  of  the  savage  tribes  for  his  King 
and  country,  would  win  a  continent. 

The  dazzling  stories  of  wealth  untold  to  be 
found  in  those  regions  stirred  his  blood,  for  he 
realized  that  if  he  could  but  guide  and  direct  the 
King  in  the  affairs  of  colonization  to  the  grand 
realization  of  his  dream,  he  would  have  but  to 
ask,  to  receive  his  heart's  fondest  desire  from  the 
hands  of  a  grateful  monarch.  Upon  this  pinnacle 
of  power  thus  gained,  the  world  would  forget  the 
wine  merchant's  son  of  Rheims  in  envious  adula 
tion.  The  reins  thus  placed  within  his  hands, 
he  would  be  enabled  to  drive  rough-shod  over 
his  enemies,  crushing  them  beyond  recovery. 
He  would  be  greater  even  than  the  King  himself, 
because  he  would  have  acquired  such  unlimited 
influence  over  the  royal  mind  and  favor  that  it 


96  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

would  be  he  who  would  stand  within  the  shadow 
of  the  throne,  directing  wars,  dictating  peace,  up 
rooting  nations,  and  dethroning  kings.  To  gain 
this  end,  he  had  need  of  just  such  men  as  he 
knew  La  Salle  to  be.  It  would  be  he  that  would 
reap  the  benefits  of  the  explorer's  efforts  if  suc 
cessful  ;  and  upon  the  head  of  that  intrepid  man 
alone  would  the  results  of  failure  fall. 

Thus  lost  in  the  imaginings  of  future  greatness, 
he  sat  until  the  dimming  of  the  light  warned  him 
of  the  passage  of  time.  He  started  up  and, 
quickly  secreting  whatever  papers  he  had  in  a 
hiding-place  in  the  wall,  he  extinguished  the  lamp 
and  left  the  room. 

When  he  reached  the  street  he  found  day 
already  dawned.  The  rain  had  ceased,  although 
it  was  still  gloomy.  The  working  people  were 
moving  about  ready  to  begin  anew  the  toil  of  the 
day.  Colbert,  well  disguised,  walked  rapidly 
along,  his  mind  busy  devising  some  plan  whereby 
his  taskmasters  could  be  satisfied  without  injur 
ing  his  own  future  purposes.  Once  he  came 
into  sudden  collision  with  a  huge  fish-wife  while 
turning  a  corner,  who  straightway  launched  at 
him  her  choicest  stock  of  Parisian  billingsgate, 
little  dreaming  that  he  whom  she  thus  reviled 

o 

was  the  second  man  in  the  kingdom. 


Chapter  Seven 


CONTAINING  SCENES  CHIEFLY  FEMININE  THAT 
TEND  TO  PROVE  THAT  PITY  IS  AKIN  TO 
LOVE 

IF    the   storm    brought    broken    chimney-pots 
and    puddly   streets   to   the  city    of  Paris,  it 

bore  renewed  brightness  to  the  flowers  and  a 
fresher  green  to  the  early  summer  verdure  of  the 
country  outside ;  and  to  no  spot  did  it  bring 
newer  life  and  greater  gladness  to  flower  and 
shrub  than  to  Choisy  Mademoiselle. 

This  princely  estate  lay  about  two  and  a  half 
leagues  from  Paris  on  the  road  to  Orleans.  The 
broad  Seine  flowing  past  the  lowermost  of  its 
terraces,  the  hundred-acre  park  about  the  house 
(a  fair  expanse  of  green  turf  broken  here  and 
there  by  the  varied  trees  and  bushes  set  out  by 
the  most  famous  landscape  gardener  of  the  age), 
the  woods  on  either  side  trimmed  into  an  exact 
resemblance  of  each  other,  made  it  seem  a 
veritable  glimpse  of  Paradise  to  the  dust-laden 
traveller  as  he  urged  on  his  tired  horse  toward 
the  city. 

This  was  the  favorite  summer  home  of  Louise 
de  Montpensier,  "  Mademoiselle  "  (or  "  La 

7  97 


98  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Grande  Mademoiselle  "  as  she  loved  to  be  called), 
only  daughter  of  Gaston,  Due  d'Orleans,  the 
King's  uncle;  of  her  who  was  the  greatest 
heiress  in  all  Europe;  who  in  her  early  youth 
had  determined  to  be  Queen  of  France,  and  had 
endeavored  to  win  her  kingly  cousin  into  a  closer 
relationship ;  who  on  the  destruction  of  this 
dream  turned  her  attention  to  the  Emperor  of 
Germany  ;  who,  at  the  time  of  the  Fronde,  had 
entered  Paris,  assumed  command,  and  even  turned 
the  guns  of  the  Bastille  upon  the  royal  army; 
who,  in  her  day,  had  repulsed  the  wooing  of 
Charles  II  of  England  (then  in  exile)  and  voted 
him  a  bore  ;  and  who  ultimately,  after  refusing 
an  Emperor,  three  reigning  monarchs,  Phillip  of 
France  (the  brother  of  Louis),  and  half  a  dozen 
sovereign  princes,  married  a  rascally  adventurer 
who  forced  her  to  pick  up  his  hat  and  pull  off 
his  muddy  riding  boots,  to  show  his  contempt 
for  her. 

It  was  to  this  shady,  restful  home  that  she 
retired  when  the  heat  of  summer  came,  to  train 
her  hounds,  try  her  English  horses,  tend  her 
aviaries,  row  on  the  river,  or  watch  her  flowers. 
Her  other  castles  and  estates  stood  high  in  her 
estimation,  but  none  so  high  as  Choisy.  So  well 
known  was  her  desire  for  quiet  when  she  retired 
there  that  not  even  the  King  himself  would  have 
ventured  to  intrude  without  a  cousinly  invitation. 


Pity  akin  to  Love  99 

Hither  carne  by  special  favor  a  few  choice  spirits, 
Corneilleor  Racine  to  read  a  new  play  ;  Mansard 
to  show  her  the  plans  for  a  new  palace  he  was 
building  for  the  King  (Mademoiselle  affected 
to  patronize  the  arts)  ;  or  perhaps  a  bevy  of 
feminine  friends  brimming  over  with  gossip  of 
the  court. 

Mademoiselle  was  by  nature  a  bundle  of  con 
tradictions.  Understanding  politics,  she  had  small 
capacity  for  ruling  ;  ostentatious  in  the  "distribu 
tion  of  her  wealth  without  being  charitable ; 
shrewd  in  judgment,  yet  so  blinded  by  conceit 
that  all  the  world  looked  on  and  laughed  at  her 
folly ;  of  warlike  disposition  (a  hundred  times 
more  a  leader  or  a  general  than  her  father),  yet 
with  a  woman's  heart,  and  in  her  better,  softer 
moments  displaying  a  gentleness  truly  feminine. 

Fairly  good-looking  she  was,  despite  the  long 
Bourbon  nose  ;  tall,  shapely,  with  really  beautiful 
hair  ;  eyes  blue,  mouth  firm,  and  a  finely  moulded 
shoulder.  She  had  withal  an  air  of  command 
that  bespoke  royal  blood.  She  was  of  the  court, 
courtly ;  unbending  only  at  times  and  allowing 
familiarity  in  none,  save  her  lady-in-waiting,  or 
companion  as  she  chose  to  call  her. 

It  was  on  this  afternoon,  when  the  whole  earth 
was  brighter  for  its  plunge-bath  of  the  night  be 
fore,  that  a  coach  of  state  with  outriders  turned 
in  from  the  road  and  stopped  at  the  main  en- 


ioo  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

trance  of  the  house.  The  footmen  descended, 
the  door  was  opened,  and  "  La  Grande  Made 
moiselle  "  stepped  forth  in  all  the  stateliness  a 
queen  could  show.  With  this  regal  air  she  en 
tered  the  long  gallery,  whose  satin-covered  walls 
were  decorated  with  portraits  of  her  famous 
and  illustrious  ancestors.  Passing  its  length, 
she  entered  a  small  writing-room,  beyond  which 
was  the  door  leading  to  her  own  private  apart 
ments.  Opening  this  noiselessly,  she  stopped 
and  gazed  long  and  earnestly  at  some  object 
within.  Gradually  her  expression  changed.  Her 
queenliness  was  gone,  gone  her  majesty,  and  the 
womanliness  which  overcame  but  seldom  her 
proud  imperious  nature  clothed  her  as  with  a 
different  garment. 

The  only  occupant  of  the  room  was  a  young 
girl,  barely  nineteen,  who  reclined  in  an  easy- 
chair  near  the  open  window.  She  was  clothed 
in  a  white  gown  of  thin  silk,  with  gold  stars  and 
leaves  in  Persian  stitch  scattered  over  it ;  a  pale 
pink  sash  was  tied  in  a  large  knot  below  her 
bosom.  She  was  tall  and  slender,  with  that  grace 
of  repose  and  freedom  of  action  that  is  only 
gained  by  healthful  country  life.  Her  hair,  light 
brown  and  fine  of  texture,  rippled  about  her 
temples  in  a  variety  of  natural  waves,  falling 
over  her  shoulders  in  long  ringlets ;  eyes  that 
showed  a  brown  deeper  than  that  of  her  hair  ; 


Pity  akin  to  Love  101 

soft  lashes  that  partly  veiled,  partly  displayed  the 
glance  within  ;  lips  thin,  playfully  curved,  yet 
expressing  moral  firmness  which  could  pout  or 
pray  as  her  emotion  demanded, —  a  natural 
beauty,  unmarred  by  folly  or  the  decrees  of 
Fashion.  She  was  the  embodiment  of  youthful 
vigor ;  vigor  of  body  and  health  of  mind.  The 
soft  glow  in  her  cheek  and  the  calm  earnest  look 
in  her  eye,  a  look  that  knew  not  evil,  neither 
searched  for  it  in  others,  both  showed  that  she 
was  not  of  the  court  or  city. 

This  was  Mademoiselle's  constant  companion, 
Renee  d'Outrelaise,  only  daughter  of  a  noble 
of  Poitou,  long  of  lineage,  but  poor  in  purse. 
The  ambition  of  her  mother  for  her  daughter's 
advancement  had  led  her,  much  against  the  old 
Comte's  wishes,  to  send  her  to  Paris  to  an  influ 
ential  friend,  in  order  that  she  might  become 
attached  as  lady-in-waiting  to  one  of  the  royal 
household.  Mademoiselle  had  seen  her  soon 
after  her  arrival  and  had  taken  her  as  her  per 
sonal  attendant. 

Struck  by  the  nobility  of  thought  and  charac 
ter  soon  displayed  by  her  protegee,  she  chose  to 
keep  her  altogether  from  the  noxious  vapors  of 
court  life  and  allow  the  budding  flower  to  develop 
uncontaminated  within  the  bounds  of  her  own 
presence.  Her  especial  fear  was  that  her  royal 
cousin,  the  King,  becoming  enamored  of  the 


IO2  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

freshness  of  her  beauty,  should  seek  to  pluck 
this  blossom  for  his  own  refreshment  as  he  had 
so  often  done  before.  Hence  it  was  that  Renee 
followed  her  patroness  from  castle  to  castle  as  she 
in  turn  visited  her  different  estates  or  accom 
panied  her  to  Paris,  where,  lodged  in  Mademoi 
selle's  city  house,  the  Palace  of  the  Luxembourg, 
she  remained  hidden  from  all  masculine  eyes,  save 
those  alone  whom  Mademoiselle  deemed  it  pru 
dent  to  admit. 

A  lute  that  she  had  been  playing  lay  on  a 
neighboring  couch.  Her  hands,  clasped  above 
her  head,  grasped  firmly  the  carved  woodwork  of 
the  chair,  while  her  feet  were  hidden  among  the 
silken  pillows  strewn  about  the  floor.  Her  whole 
attitude  was  that  of  delicious,  dreamy  restfulness. 
Her  eyes  wandered  listlessly  over  the  trim  lawns 
and  the  broad  terraces  balanced  by  flights  of  steps, 
over  the  statues  and  vases,  glimpses  of  which 
could  be  caught  here  and  there  amid  the  varying 
greens  of  the  shrubbery.  Gazing  at  the  jets  of 
water  rising  out  of  marble  basins,  the  precisely 
arranged  flowers  and  orange  trees  lining  the  walks, 
she  was  but  faintly  conscious  of  their  beauties,  for 
her  eyes  followed  her  thoughts  on  past  the  park 
to  the  river-edge  where  the  water-lilies  grew  in 
wild  profusion  under  the  shadows  of  the  tree- 
enshrouded  bays.  Here  they  rested  for  a  mo 
ment,  then  on  and  up  to  the  horizon,  beyond 


Pity  akin  to  Love  103 

which  lay  the  great  dry  with  its  noisy  teeming 
life,  less  than  three  leagues  away  from  this  re 
tired  spot  where  all  was  quietude,  order,  and 
repose. 

At  length  that  strange  consciousness  that  some 
one  was  looking  at  her  exerted  its  influence  over 
her  thoughts,  and  she  involuntarily  withdrew  her 
ga/e  from  the  window.  She  turned  her  head  and 
beheld  Mademoiselle  standing  in  the  doorway, 
watching  her  with  a  strange  expression  of  mingled 
respect  and  affection  ;  respect,  because,  reared  as 
she  had  been  in  the  atmosphere  of  the  court 
reeking  with  that  moral  miasma  that  pervaded 
everything,  she  could  especially  appreciate  the 
beauties  of  a  feminine  nature  fair  and  unpolluted; 
affection,  because  in  the  young  companion  she 
saw  bits  of  her  own  self  when  at  her  age  :  a  certain 
proud  consciousness  of  birth,  a  playful  humor  at 
times  deliciously  feminine,  yet  a  nature  capable 
of  responding  to  the  sterner  duties  of  life.  Then, 
too,  with  all  her  greatness  and  wealth,  Mademoi 
selle's  life  had  been  essentially  a  loveless,  artificial 
existence;  hence  in  the  companionship  of  this 
warm,  affectionate  young  nature,  the  ever-living 
divine  maternal  element  within  her  was  satisfied 
by  having  something  to  love. 

"  Ah  !  ma  mignonne"  she  exclaimed,  as  soon  as 
their  eyes  met,  "  dreaming  again  !  Happy  indeed 
ought  he  to  be  who  occupies  your  thoughts;" 


1 04  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  going  across  the  room,  she  kissed   the  girl 

DO  '  O 

affectionately  on  the  brow  as  she  arose  from  her 
seat. 

Renee  blushed  furiously  at  these  words.  Made 
moiselle  noticed  her  confusion  with  a  start  of 
pain,  for  in  her  selfishness  she  fondly  imagined 
she  could  always  keep  her  young  friend  with  her. 

"  Why  should  the  object  of  my  thoughts  be 
masculine  ? "  Renee  asked  with  a  mischievous 
light  in  her  eye.  "  Why  could  not  those  beauti 
ful  objects  from  the  window,  the  trees  and  flowers 
and  all,  have  held  my  fancy  ? " 

"  Wily  Receiver,"  cried  Mademoiselle,  her  anx 
iety  and  fears  melting  away  beneath  her  com 
panion's  words,  "  young  girls  do  not  lie  dreaming 
at  sight  of  woodland  and  river ;  only  one  object 
of  thought  could  bring  the  light  I  saw  in  your 
eyes  when  I  entered,  and  that  object  is  —  a  man ;  " 
and  with  these  words  she  removed  her  head-gear, 
which  Renee  took  and  put  away.  "  Come,  tell 
me,  ma  cherie,  what  was  in  your  thoughts.  It  will 
rest  me  after  my  ride.  Then,  perhaps,  I  can  tell 
you  news  from  town  that  will  interest  you.  Let 
me  see,  we  have  gone  thus  far ;  it  was  a  man. 
Now,  who  could  it  be,  for  you  have  met  but  few  ? 
Could  it  be  the  Comte  de  Miron,  that  young 
scapegrace  ?  " 

Renee  had  seated  herself  upon  a  footstool  and 
leaned  her  head  upon  her  protectress's  lap,  whose 


Pity  akin  to  Love  105 

fingers  passed  and  repassed  with  a  tender  touch 
through  the  masses  of  her  hair.  At  these  words 
a  look  of  disgust  came  over  her  features  as  she 
raised  her  head  to  speak. 

"  The  Comte  de  Miron  ?  "  she  exclaimed.  "  I 
detest  that  man  with  his  smooth  manners  and 
eternal  scowl.  I  do  not  believe  that  any  one  who 
is  always  scowling  can  be  trusted.  Besides,  I  am 
firmly  convinced  that  he  is  base  and  rude  and 
cowardly.  No,  no,  ma  chere  Louise,  my  mind 
would  have  to  change  sadly  ere  I  would  sully  it 
by  thinking  of  him." 

Mademoiselle  looked  displeased  at  the  first 
words  of  her  companion,  for  the  Comte  de  Miron 
was  a  favorite  of  hers  because  of  his  dashing  in 
souciant  manner  and  ready  tongue  and  wit.  But 
at  the  sound  of  her  Christian  name  on  Renee's 
lips  (the  only  person  she  allowed  to  use  it)  her 
face  lighted  up  again. 

"  You  are  right,  Little  Wise-Head,"  she  re 
plied,  caressing  her.  "  He  is  no  fit  subject  for 
your  thoughts,  although  I  cannot  go  so  far 
as  you  and  say  that  he  is  base  and  rude  and 
cowardly." 

"That  he  is  base,"  replied  Renee,  "I  learned 
from  your  own  lips  when  you  told  me  of  his  duel 
with  the  Comte  de  Noise,  whose  sword  broke  and 
who,  disarmed  and  defenceless,  was  run  through 
the  heart  by  the  Comte  de  Miron.  That  he  is 


1 06  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

rude  and  cowardly  I  myself  learned  when  in  the 
city  yesterday." 

"  How  now,  ma  petite"  cried  Mademoiselle  in 
alarm,  "  I  was  with  you  nearly  all  the  time  my 
self  while  we  were  in  town  yesterday.  Cannot 
I  send  you  from  the  Luxembourg  to  Madame  de 
Piene's  in  my  own  chair  without  your  meeting 
with  mishap  ? " 

Renee  then  related  her  adventure  of  the  day 
before  in  full  detail,  forgetting,  however,  the 
incident  of  the  kissed  hand  and  lost  handkerchief. 
When  she  had  finished  she  looked  at  her  friend 
triumphantly  and  awaited  her  answer.  Made 
moiselle  was  thoughtful  for  a  moment,  then 
replied  : 

"  That  he  was  a  gay  and  delightful  sort  of 
sinner  I  well  knew,  but  that  he  could  be  un- 
gallant  or  deal  a  cowardly  blow  I  did  not  believe. 
However,  I  do  not  know  but  on  the  whole  I  am 
glad  it  happened.  I  have  reproached  myself 
much  of  late  for  my  selfishness  in  having  him 
about  when  you  were  near.  He  is  wildly  in 
love  with  you,  and  I  feared  lest  — ' 

"  Lest  I  should  learn  to  love  him  simply 
because  he  was  a  man,  and  witty  and  clever  ?  " 
—  and  the  room  was  rilled  with  rippling  laughter 
as  the  girl  gave  way  to  the  merriment  her  friend's 
speech  had  caused. 

"  No,"     she     went     on,    suddenly    becoming 


Pity  akin  to  Love  1 07 

serious,  "the  man  I  shall  love,  if  such  there  be, 
must  be  brave  ;  no  descendant  of  Eleanor,  wife 
of  Henry  Plantagenet,  could  ever  love  a  coward. 
That  he  be  of  gentle  birth  I  care  not,  although 
he  must  be  i'  truth  gentle  and  gallant.  He 
must  also  fear  God  and  hate  the  Devil,  although 
I  would  have  him  no  monk.  He  must  love  me 
as  no  other  person  or  thing  on  earth,  and  must 
woo  me,  not  with  soft  words  and  sighs,  but  by 
deeds,  with  a  reckless  earnestness  that  shames  to 
hide  its  love  from  any  one,  and  which  will  seek 
every  honorable  means  to  gain  its  end.  And 
last  and  best  of  all,  he  must  be  true  ;  true  to 
what  he  deems  right ;  true  to  his  God,  his  King, 
his  friends,  —  and  to  me."  She  sighed  as  she 
stopped  a  moment.  "  And  so  I  shall  wait  until  he 
comes  ;  "  and  going  over  to  the  couch,  she  picked 
up  her  lute  and  sang  to  a  plaintive  melody  : 

Until  he  comes  !      Cease,  heart,  thy  troubled  beating ; 

Reserve  your  strength  for  mine  own  hero's  praise. 
Cease,  lips  of  mine,  less  worthy  names  repeating  ; 

Peace,  troubled  soul,  through  all  the  coming  days, 
Until  he  comes,  until  he  comes. 

While  she  sang,  Mademoiselle  looked  at  her 
with  a  misty  eye,  for  this  sight  into  a  nature 
which  in  depth  and  tenderness  was  so  foreign 
to  her  own  roused  a  strange  longing  and  faintness 
within  herself.  She  shook  off  this  feeling  as 


io8  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Renee's  voice  dwelt  llngeringly  on  the  last  words 
of  her  song,  and  laughingly  said  : 

"  Man  Dieu  !  Such  dreams  are  beautiful,  but 
if  those  are  your  standards,  I  have  no  fear  of 
losing  you,  for  believe  me,  ma  cherie^  there  is  no 
such  man  in  France.  But  where  got  you  your 
sweet  song  ?  " 

Renee  again  blushed.  "  I  wrote  it  this  morn 
ing  after  you  left  for  Paris.  I  was  lonely.  It  is 
nothing." 

"  Tell  me  more  of  this  strange  knight,"  re 
sumed  Mademoiselle,  "  who  so  opportunely  ar 
rived  to  rescue  Beauty  in  distress.  Was  he 
tall,  dark,  light,  or  fat,  or  what  special  mark  dis 
tinguished  the  features  of  your  champion?  " 

"  How  he  looked  I  cannot  describe  to  you," 
was  the  reply,  "  save  that  he  was  manly,  of 
soldierly  bearing,  of  high  spirit,  and  his  manner 
towards  me  was  full  of  all  gentleness." 

Mademoiselle  eyed  her  narrowly  as  Renee 
spoke.  The  earnestness  or  some  other  quality 
of  the  tones  of  her  voice  convinced  her. 

"  I  have  it,  ma  petite.  I  have  discovered 
your  secret ;  it  was  of  him  you  dreamed  when  I 
entered,"  she  cried,  clapping  her  hands  and 
laughing  heartily. 

Renee's  blushes  only  added  to  her  merriment. 
"  True,  it  was  of  him  I  thought,"  she  replied 
with  some  spirit,  "  but  my  thoughts  were  rather 


Pity  akin  to  Love  109 

those  of  anxiety  than  those  you  imagine.  I 
feared  lest  in  the  duel  that  will  be  fought,  one 
more  victim  should  be  added  to  the  list  of  the 
Comte  de  Miron's  treacheries." 

While  speaking  thus,  the  sound  of  an  approach 
ing  horse  was  heard  galloping  along  the  avenue 
from  the  main  road.  A  few  moments  later  it 
stopped  at  the  front  of  the  house  and  presently 
a  servant  appeared.  "  A  messenger  from  the 
Sieur  de  la  Salle,"  he  said. 

"Admit  him  here,"  replied  Mademoiselle. 
"  As  for  you,  Renee,  you  may  remain." 

Renee  withdrew  toward  the  window  and  Mad 
emoiselle  settled  herself  to  receive  the  man,  when 
the  door  was  opened  and  Tonti  stood  before 
them.  Bowing  low  with  an  easy  grace,  he  said  : 

"The  Sieur  de  la  Salle  sends  by  me  his 
highest  respect  and  salutation,  together  with 
this  note,"  and  he  handed  the  missive  to  Mad 
emoiselle,  then  stepped  back  a  pace  while  she 
read  it. 

Renee  was  deeply  buried  behind  a  large  book 
beside  the  window.  She  dared  not  look  up,  but 
at  the  first  sound  of  his  voice  her  heart  seemed 
to  stand  still  and  the  printed  words  danced  in  a 
blurred  mass  before  her  eyes.  She  recognized 
the  sound. 

Tonti's  gaze  wandered  about  the  luxurious  fur 
nishings  of  the  apartment.  Suddenly  he  started 


1 1  o  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

as  his  eyes  fell  in  ready  recognition  upon  Renee, 
and  his  hat  fell  from  his  grasp,  while  the  muttered 
exclamation  "My  Rose  of  Normandy!"  escaped 
him. 

Mademoiselle,  whose  attention  had  been  fixed 
upon  her  note,  finished  reading  at  this  juncture 
and  looked  up. 

"  Tell  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle  I  shall  be  most 
happy  to  grant  his  request,  and  that  he  may  come 
to-morrow.  When  does  he  sail  for  those  North 
ern  shores  and  cruel  savages  the  Jesuit  fathers 
write  so  much  about?" 

"  Some  two  weeks  hence  ;  from  La  Rochelle  ; 
by  the  ship  c  Saint  Honore,'  "  was  the  reply, 
made  precise  and  without  polite  embellishment 
by  the  agitated  state  of  Tonti's  mind. 

"  And  you,  Captain  de  Tonti,  I  understand 
from  the  Prince  de  Conti  that  you  accompany 
the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  as  lieutenant  or  partner 
in  his  enterprise.  I  wish  you  both  success,  be 
cause  there  is  not  so  intrepid  an  explorer  to  be 
found  as  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  and  because  you, 
as  a  gallant  and  worthy  soldier,  deserve  it.  Kindly 
carry  my  message  to  your  friend,  and  accept  my 
thanks  in  advance  for  doing  it;  "  and  thus  speak 
ing  in  her  stateliest  manner,  Mademoiselle  ex 
tended  her  hand,  and  Tonti,  bending  low  to 
kiss  it,  bowed  deferentially  and  was  gone. 

Hardly  had  the  door  closed  and  Mademoiselle 


Pity  akin  to  Love  1 1 1 

had  scarcely  time  to  lay  aside  her  dignity  when 
Renee  sprang  up,  and,  tossing  her  book  high  in  air, 
came  dancing  across  the  floor,  and,  stopping  before 
her  astonished  companion,  gave  one  final  pirouette 
and  flung  herself  into  her  arms,  crying: 

"'Tis  he  !   'Tis  he!" 

"  He  ?  Whom  ? "  asked  Mademoiselle,  puzzled 
at  her  words. 

"  The  man  of  yesterday  ;  the  one  you  termed 
the  stranger  knight  but  a  few  moments  ago." 

"  Ah  !  "  exclaimed  Mademoiselle,  smiling, 
"  Henri  de  Tonti.  The  wind  blows  from 
that  quarter,  does  it  ?  " 

A  flushed  face  met  hers  in  earnest  repudiation 
of  all  that  her  tones  indicated. 

"  How  foolish,  ma  chere  Louise!  Cannot  I  but 
feel  grateful  for  his  manly  assistance  without  lov 
ing  him  ?  "  Then  with  a  hard  effort  to  appear 
indifferent  she  continued  : 

"  Would  it  be  grateful  in  me  not  to  feel 
anxious  for  him  in  his  coming  meeting  with  the 
Comte  de  Miron,  knowing  the  Comte  as  I  do  ? 
Did  you  not  praise  him  yourself  as  a  gallant 
soldier  ?  Is  it  right  to  allow  such  to  fall  beneath 
a  treacherous  blow  ?  " 

"True,"  replied  Mademoiselle  musingly,  "  he 
is  a  protege  of  the  Prince  de  Conti,  and  has  ren 
dered  marvellous  services  to  the  King  in  his  Sicil- 

o 

ian  campaign,  all   of  which    Louis  has  forgotten 


112  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  now  allows  him  to  go  to  die  in  the  wilder 
ness."  She  then  related  the  history  of  Tonti's 
iron  hand  and  other  of  his  gallant  deeds  she  had 
heard.  Renee  listened  eagerly,  her  eyes  sparkling 
and  her  breath  coming  and  going  in  short,  quick 
gasps.  Mademoiselle  noticed  this  and  stopped. 

"  I  must  tell  you  no  more,  mon  Dieu  I  or  I 
shall  but  add  fuel  to  the  flames  this  handsome 
Italian  soldier  has  already  lighted.  Come,  mon 
bijou,  do  not  break  your  heart  over  him.  He  is 
about  to  sail,  as  you  heard  him  say,  with  my 
friend  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  the  great  explorer, 
to  New  France,  to  be  lost  in  some  savage  wild, 
or  settle  down,  marry  some  Indian  woman  (they 
call  them  squaws,  I  believe),  and  disappear  from 
our  sight.  However,  to  please  you  and  for  once 
do  a  good  act,  I  am  at  your  service  to  carry  out 
any  plan  you  may  suggest  to  save  our  soldier 
knight,  and  to  make  it  the  more  completely  your 
own  aid  that  you  give  him  I  shall  place  my  most 
trusted  servant  and  all  that  I  possess  at  your  ser 
vice.  Now  I  must  see  about  the  quarters  for  the 
new  English  horse  that  arrives  to-morrow.  Adieu, 
ma  petite ,"  and  kissing  her  in  a  half-motherly,  half- 
sisterly  fashion,  she  left  the  room. 

Renee,  left  alone,  seated  herself  beside  the  open 
window,  and  burying  her  head  in  her  arms  she 
strove  to  think  of  some  plan  to  save  the  man 
who  but  a  few  moments  before  stood  in  the  same 


Pity  akin  to  Love  1 1  3 

room  with  her.  The  relaxation  from  her  pre 
vious  excitement  was  soothing,  and  the  warm  after 
noon  breeze  caused  a  drowsy  feeling  to  creep  over 
her.  Gradually  her  mind  ceased  planning,  and 
with  her  song  gently  singing  itself  over  and  over 
in  her  ears,  only  with  the  words  "  At  last  he 
comes!"  unconsciously  taking  the  place  of  the 
original  phrase,  she  fell  asleep. 

A  cautious  step  sounded  upon  the  gravel  walk 
outside.  A  shadow  fell  upon  the  sleeping  girl, 
who  stirred  uneasily  as  though  she  felt  even  in 
her  unconscious  state  the  approach  of  some  evil 
spirit.  The  crafty  face  of  the  Comte  de  Miron 
peered  into  the  apartment,  and  lighted  up  with  a 
sinister  smile  as  he  recognized  the  sleeper  and 
saw  that  she  was  alone,  while  with  a  deft  motion 
of  the  hand  he  speedily  cut  off  a  lock  of  her  hair 
and  disappeared  as  mysteriously  as  he  had  come. 


Chapter  Eight 


DEVOTED  TO  NATURAL  HISTORY,  EXHIBIT 
ING  THE  LIFE  OF  COURT  BUTTERFLIES,  A 
GLIMPSE  AT  THE  KING  BUTTERFLY,  AND 
HOW  A  SPIDER  SPINS  HIS  WEB 

IT  was  already  past  one  o'clock  when  La 
Salle  and  Tonti  approached  the  Louvre. 
On  the  Grand  Staircase  they  were  passed 
by  several  personages  who  hurried  on  without 
noticing  them.  Others  followed  behind  more 
slowly.  A  steady  stream  of  humanity  flowed  up 
the  broad  stairs  and  on  into  the  Grand  Salle ; 
gay,  laughing  faces  the  most  of  them,  with  here 
and  there  the  grave  looks  of  a  priest  or  the  crafty 
countenance  of  my  Lord  Cardinal.  Gallants 
a-plenty  in  rich  attire  ;  soldiers  fresh  from  the  field 
with  bold  glances  for  the  women,  and  a  haughty 
stare  and  a  hand  touching  the  sword-hilt  for  the 
men  about  them ;  here  and  there  an  officer  of  the 
King's  Guards ;  ladies  of  the  court  with  hair 
dressed  a  la  hurluburlu,  cheeks  marked  by  the 
rouge-pot  and  the  patch,  and  gowns  of  rarest 
beauty  and  extravagant  cost.  Here  too  came 
Racine,  the  tragic  muse  of  his  age ;  Boileau,  the 
Horace  of  France;  La  Fontaine,  the  trifler  in 

114 


Court  Butterflies  115 

words;  and  Madame  de  Sevigne,  whose  virtue  and 
literary  talent  were  destined  to  immortalize  her 
name  when  those  of  the  many  beautiful  women 
of  this  infamous  court  who  far  outshone  her  in 
witchery,  wit,  and  wickedness  would  be  preserved 
only  in  the  mildewed  pages  of  some  long-forgot 
ten  chronicle  of  the  day. 

It  was  through  such  a  crowd  that  La  Salle  and 
Tonti  made  their  way  and  mingled  with  the 
throng  that  filled  the  Grand  Salle.  His  Majesty 
dined  alone  in  his  own  apartment  at  one  end,  and 
it  was  to  behold  him  and  bask  in  the  royal  pres 
ence  and  perchance  gain  the  royal  ear  or  the 
kingly  smile  (depending  on  the  sex  of  the  person), 
when  he  appeared  for  a  time  in  public  before  he 
retired  to  his  cabinet  to  take  up  affairs  of  State 
with  his  Minister,  that  this  gay  company  had 
assembled.  La  Salle  bowed  right  and  left,  for  his 
own  star  was  in  the  ascendant  and  he  had  many 
friends.  Tonti,  too,  recognized  a  few  of  his 
acquaintances  in  the  crowd,  to  whom  he  nodded 
or  spoke  a  few  words. 

Slowly  they  made  their  way  to  the  right  side 
of  the  Salle,  where,  between  two  windows  over 
looking  the  fosse,  Madame  de  Montespan,  the 
reigning  favorite  of  the  King,  held  her  court. 
About  her  crowded  statesman  and  soldier,  wit 
and  court  beauty,  knowing  well  that  to  gain  her 
influence  meant  the  favor  of  the  King.  She  was 


1 1 6  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

clad  in  a  gown  whose  skirt  was  of  silver  tissue, 
embroidered  in  gold  touched  with  flame-color, 
with  coat  of  Gros  de  Tours  also  richly  em 
broidered  in  gold.  Her  hair  was  dressed  in  num 
berless  curls  (one  on  each  side  of  the  temples 
falling  low  on  her  cheeks),  tied  here  and  there 
with  black  ribbons,  to  which  the  magnificent 
pearls,  once  the  property  of  the  Marechale  de 
1'Hopital,  were  attached.  A  mantle  of  gold 
d'Espagne  partly  concealed  one  dimpled  shoul 
der,  leaving  the  other  without  cover.  Her 
arms  were  bare  to  the  elbow,  and  encircled 
above  by  a  gold  open-work  bracelet  set  with 
opals,  while  gloves  of  cream-colored  Brussels 
lace  covered  her  forearms  and  hands.  Right 
royal  did  she  appear  in  all  the  refulgence  of 
her  voluptuous  beauty ;  the  envy  of  every  fem 
inine  mind ;  the  shrine  before  which  each  mascu 
line  heart  bowed. 

The  two  men,  first  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
crowd,  gradually  worked  their  way  toward  the 
centre  of  attraction,  listening  to  the  conversation 
of  those  they  passed. 

"  Women  are  rakes  by  nature  and  prudes  from 
necessity,"  remarked  La  Rochefoucauld  in  a  low 
tone  and  with  a  significant  glance  at  Madame  de 
Montespan. 

"  True,  most  women  prefer  that  we  should 
talk  ill  of  their  virtue  rather  than  ill  of  their  wit 


Court  Butterflies  117 

or  their  beauty,"  smilingly  replied  Fontanelle, 
the  young  nephew  of  Corneille. 

"For  good  reason,"  rejoined  La  Rochefoucauld. 
"  Are  not  beauty  and  youth  as  necessary  to  a 
woman  as  the  air  they  breathe  and  the  wine  they 
drink  ?  Is  it  not  valueless  to  a  woman  to  be 
young  unless  pretty,  or  to  be  pretty  unless 
young  ? " 

"  What  angels  beautiful  women  appear  to  be," 
sighed  Racine,  joining  the  party,  "  and  what  de 
mons  they  really  are,  who  make  us  enter  hell 
through  the  door  of  paradise." 

"  Say,  rather,  that  man  is  fire,  woman  tow,  and 
the  devil  it  is  who  comes  and  blows,"  gloomily 
remarked  the  Abbe  Guyart. 

"  You  will  agree  with  me,  Sir  Abbe,"  laughed 
La  Rochefoucauld,  "  in  saying  that  man,  woman, 
and  the  devil  are  the  three  degrees  of  compari 
son.  Or  perhaps  you  would  put  woman  last?  " 

Before  the  priest  could  make  reply  the  voice 
of  Madame  de  Montespan  was  heard  calling  to 
them  : 

"  What  are  you  conspirators  talking  about 
that  you  speak  so  low  we  cannot  hear  you  ?  Let 
us,  too,  share  your  jest,  or  benefit  by  your 
wisdom." 

"  I  have  just  said,"  replied  La  Rochefoucauld 
unblushingly,  "  that  there  were  few  women  whose 
charms  outlive  their  beauty,  but  that  your  wit, 


1 1  8  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Madame,  the  famous  wit  of  the  Mortemars, 
would  yet  charm  the  world  were  your  unsur 
passed  beauty  to  fade  and  become  but  equal  to 
that  of  other  women." 

Although  he  was  a  moralist,  La  Rochefoucauld 
was  still  a  courtier. 

"And  I  had  but  remarked  previously,"  spoke 
up  the  young  liar  Fontanelle,  "  that,  in  the 
words  of  Francis  First,  of  gracious  memory,  *  A 
royal  court  without  women  is  like  a  year  without 
spring  ;  a  spring  without  flowers.' ' 

The  person  to  whom  these  speeches  were  ad 
dressed  smiled  sweetly  upon  the  speakers,  for  all 
flattery,  however  gross,  was  as  a  sweet-smelling 
incense  to  her  nostrils. 

"  And  you,  Sir  Explorer,"  she  said,  looking 
at  La  Salle,  who  now  stood  with  Tonti  within 
the  inner  circle,  "  what  does  your  experience 
teach  you  to  say  upon  this  subject?" 

"  My  experience  in  New  France,  Madame, 
has  been  mainly  among  savages.  The  word 
'woman'  is  always  associated  there  with  the 
word  (  marriage.' '  Then,  seeing  by  the  frown 
upon  the  beauty's  face  that  he  had  committed 
an  indiscretion,  he  added,  "  But  there  beauty 
and  wit  are  unknown  quantities,  and  marriage  is 
synonymous  with  servitude." 

"  That    condition    is    not    confined    to    New 
France,"  replied  Madame  de  Montespan,  with  a 


Court  Butterflies  119 

bitter  emphasis  upon  the  "  New."  "  What  says 
your  friend  from  Italy,  the  land  of  romance  and 
beauty  ?  " 

Tonti,  to  whom  these  remarks  were  addressed, 
replied : 

"  A  soldier,  though  from  Italy,  has  scant  time 
to  form  opinions  on  subjects  that  belong  to  the 
domain  of  the  court.  Although  as  to  marriage," 
he  added,  with  a  smile  and  twinkle  of  the  eye, 
"  I  seem  to  remember  a  saying  we  have  in  Tus 
cany  :  f  Before  going  to  war  say  a  prayer ;  before 
going  to  sea,  say  two  prayers  ;  before  marrying, 
say  three.'  ' 

A  burst  of  laughter  from  the  group  greeted 
this  reply,  but  before  anything  else  was  said  a 
whisper  passed  about  the  room,  "  The  King  !  " 
and  in  a  moment  the  crowd  surrounding  his 
favorite  had  parted,  leaving  an  open  way,  down 
which  he  passed. 

Before  them  all  he  stood,  the  chief  puppet  of 
the  play ;  backed  by  the  strength  of  armies 
whose  advance  meant  destruction,  yet  weak  as 
water  beneath  the  caress  of  a  mistress  or  the 
wiles  of  a  crafty  minister;  spending  hours  each 
day  in  prayer  and  cowering  before  the  admoni 
tory  finger  of  a  priest,  yet  the  most  polished 
voluptuary  of  his  court ;  shrewd  almost  to  cun 
ning  in  his  country's  diplomacy,  yet  blinded  by 
an  egotism  so  great  that  were  his  bitterest  enemy 


I  20  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

also  an  accomplished  flatterer,  he  and  that  enemy 
would  be  friends  ere  sundown. 

He  was  clad  in  a  rich  velvet  coat  with  amaz 
ingly  wide  skirts ;  brocaded  waistcoat  reaching 

o    J  *  O 

half-way  to  the  knee;  satin  small-clothes  and  silk 
stockings ;  silver-buckled  shoes  that  came  nearly 
up  to  the  ankle,  with  red  heels  four  inches  high  ; 
an  immense  wig,  covered  with  flour,  upon  his 
head ;  a  three-cornered  cockaded  hat,  a  gold- 
headed  cane,  and  diamond-hiked  sword.  He 
endeavored  to  move  with  dignity,  but  he  walked 
with  a  strut,  elbows  sticking  out,  rolling  eyes, 
and  out-turned  toes.  A  King  indeed  he  was,  yet 
at  once  the  strongest,  weakest,  grandest,  most 
ridiculous  monarch  of  all  Europe. 

He  had  advanced  half-way  toward  his  favorite, 
who  was  ready  with  a  smile  to  greet  him,  when 
he  suddenly  stopped  before  one  of  the  company 
who  was  clad  in  the  prevailing  mode  but  all  of 
his  garments  were  black,  in  strange  contrast  with 
the  peacock  colors  all  about  him,  while  large 
bands  of  crape  about  the  arms  and  stockings 
made  him  a  prominent  figure  amid  the  otherwise 
brightly  gay  throng.  He  was  the  husband  of 
Madame  de  Montespan. 

The  King  frowned.  "  Why  all  this  dark  ar 
ray  and  black  looks,  Marquis  ?  For  whom  have 
you  donned  such  heavy  mourning?"  he  de 
manded. 


Court  Butterflies  121 

"  For  my  wife,"  was  the  reply,  as  the  man 
gazed  steadily  into  the  eyes  of  Louis  and  then 
looked  at  Madame  de  Montespan,  who  was  turn 
ing  white  with  anger.  The  King  flushed,  bit  his 
lip,  then  without  a  word  turned  upon  his  heel, 
and,  walking  to  the  door  leading  to  his  cabinet, 
disappeared. 

La  Salle  and  Tonti  moved  toward  the  door  as 
the  company,  except  those  who  had  appointments 
with  the  King,  began  to  disperse. 

"  I  fear  the  royal  temper  will  not  be  greatly 
sweetened  by  this  incident,"  remarked  the  former 
dryly. 

"  Pardieu !  I  like  the  Marquis'  courage,"  ex 
claimed  Tonti  by  way  of  reply. 

They  had  waited  but  a  few  minutes  when  the 
door  opened  and  their  names  were  called.  They 
entered  the  King's  cabinet  and  found  him  seated 
at  a  long  table  littered  with  papers  ;  near  by  sat 
his  Minister  Colbert,  while  in  a  window's  embra 
sure  on  the  further  side  of  the  room  stood  the 
Minister's  secretary  with  his  back  to  the  rest  of 
the  company,  gazing  out  upon  the  street. 

La  Salle  and  Tonti  advanced  and  stood  at  a 
respectful  distance.  All  look  of  annoyance  had 
left  the  King's  face  as  he  addressed  them. 

"  So,  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  you  have  brought  your 
lieutenant  with  you  for  his  commission.  I  recol 
lect  him  well.  'T  was  he  that  displayed  such 


122  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

gallantry  in  the  Sicilian  campaign.  I  have  also 
heard  the  story  of  his  iron  hand ;  a  brave  deed 
bravely  done.  Also  of  his  actions  before  Mes 
sina,  his  imprisonment  and  all." 

"'Tis  naught,  Sire,"  was  Tonti's  reply  in  a 
deprecating  tone.  "  The  knowledge  of  your  ap 
preciation  of  my  efforts  to  serve  your  Majesty, 
together  with  the  captaincy  and  the  three  hun 
dred  livres  I  received,  are  ample  rewards." 

Louis  looked  at  the  speaker  sharply,  as  if  to 
determine  whether  the  irony  he  fancied  he  de 
tected  in  the  last  words  were  real  or  not. 

"There  were  other  rewards  given  him  which 
he  has  forgotten  to  mention,"  said  Colbert,  in  a 
hesitating  tone.  "  It  is  not  usual  for  foreign 
officers  to  occupy  the  responsible  positions  in  the 
royal  forces  that  he  has  held.  That  of  itself 
ought  to  be  distinction  enough.  Your  Majesty 
has  just  asked  me  for  my  humble  opinion  as  to 
the  brave  Capitaine's  commission.  Like  all  of 
my  opinions,  it  would  be  worthless,  but  I  should 
not  recommend  the  signing  of  it." 

Under  the  cloak  of  humility,  the  wily  Min 
ister  threw  such  a  tone  of  meaning  that  Louis 
instantly  demanded  his  reason. 

"A  thoroughly  selfish  one,  Sire,  but  natural  in 
one  devoted  to  your  interests.  Have  we  too 
many  officers  whom  you  can  trust  as  you  do  this 
brave  Italian  ?  Would  you  not,  in  your  anxiety 


Court  Butterflies  123 

to  please  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  be  robbing  your 
self?  Could  not  so  gallant  a  soldier  best  serve 
the  King  by  remaining  in  France?  War  is  again 
imminent,  and  it  will  not  be  long  ere  the  Capi- 
taine  Tonti  will  have  another  chance  to  perform 
other  gallant  deeds  and  reap  rich  rewards." 

The  King  seemed  struck  by  the  argument  ad 
vanced  ;  the  more  so  as  it  appealed  to  the  self 
ish  side  of  his  nature.  He  bit  the  end  of  his  pen 
a  moment,  then  throwing  it  down  before  him  on 

'  O 

the  table  and  pushing  the  commission  to  one  side, 
he  turned  to  Tonti.  "  True  words  indeed,"  he 
said,  "  and  ones  that  but  echo  my  own  thoughts. 
We  have  need  of  strong  arms,  clear  heads,  and 
loyal  hearts  in  our  service.  We  think,  on  the 
whole,  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  that  you  can  find  a  fit 
lieutenant  for  your  enterprise  without  taking  from 
us  our  true  and  tried  officers." 

La  Salle  was  about  to  speak  when  Tonti,  ad 
vancing  a  step  and  with  a  meaning  glance  at  Col 
bert,  thus  addressed  the  King  : 

"  He  indeed,  Sire,  speaks  truly  when  he  says  that 
there  were  other  rewards  given  me  which  I  forbore, 
not  forgot,  to  mention  ;  rewards  received  from  the 
hands  of  an  ambitious  and  unscrupulous  Minister 
rather  than  those  of  a  grateful  and  generous  King." 

"How  now,  Sir  Capitaine ! "  angrily  inter 
rupted  Louis.  "  We  like  not  to  hear  such  words 
concerning  our  Chief  Officer  of  State," 


1 24  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Pardon,  Sire,"  replied  Tonti.  "  Soft  words 
are  not  always  true  ones.  The  rewards  referred 
to  I  shall  enumerate  in  a  moment  if  you  have 
the  patience.  My  father  brought  me  here  a 
child.  He  found  a  great  King  reigning  over  a 
mighty  kingdom  with  an  empty  treasury.  He 
devised  a  plan  for  the  filling  of  that  treasury. 
You  would  not  permit  him  to  carry  it  to  conclu 
sion  ;  you  intrusted  it  to  the  unskilled,  ignorant 
hand  of  your  Minister;  it  failed.  He  studied 
the  plan  more  carefully  and  saw  the  merit  of  my 
father's  minute  advice,  hitherto  unheeded.  He 
tried  again  ;  he  succeeded  ;  and  now  his  successor 
sits  here  the  second  man  in  France,  while  my 
father,  to  whom  all  was  due — " 

"  Was  amply  rewarded,"  interposed  Louis, 
"and  went  back  to  Italy  to  live  in  well-deserved 
comfort  his  remaining  days,  dying  in  peace 
shortly  after  his  return." 

"  No,"  bitterly  explained  Tonti  with  a  men 
acing  glance  at  Colbert.  "  That  was  probably 
what  his  lying  tongue  told  you.  Ah  !  Sire,  the 
life  of  a  loyal  soldier  was  ever  mine.  Through 
the  years  of  rough  campaigning,  through  siege  and 
sortie,  camp  and  fleet,  I  performed  those  deeds 
that  you  have  graciously  enumerated,  and  returned 
home  to  find  the  father  who  ought  to  have  been 

o 

loaded  down  with  honors  awaiting  the  arrival  of 

o 

his  soldier  son  fresh  from  a  hundred  battles  —  " 


Court  Butterflies  125 

Tonti  stopped  an  instant  as  though  to  gain 
control  of  himself.  The  King  was  listening  ear 
nestly.  Colbert  sat  with  a  disdainful  smile  upon 
his  lips,  and  a  venomous  look  in  his  eyes. 

"  To  find  the  father  whose  skill  in  finance  and 
gratitude  to  the  monarch  that  received  him,  an 
exile,  had  given  you  the  means  of  conducting  a 
glorious  war  and  gathering  fresh  laurels  that  can 
never  fade;  that  father  who  deserved  as  his  re 
ward  the  half  of  your  kingdom  and  a  place  at 
your  right  hand  ;  who  taught  me  c  Fear  God  and 
honor  the  King '  as  the  first  whole  sentence  my 
young  lips  framed;  —  to  find,  1  say,  that  he  had 
been  housed  in  the  Bastille  since  my  departure; 
that  he  had  died  alone  and  in  prison  ;  died  a  vic 
tim  to  the  cruelty  and  neglect  of  his  gaolers. 
Tell  me,  Sire,  is  that  the  way  to  reward  a  faithful 
servant  ?  For  my  own  reward,  paltry  though  it 
was,  I  do  not  complain  ;  but  now  when  I  come 
to  you  loaded  down  with  this  gross  injustice  and 
wrong  and  beg  a  favor  such  as  the  present,  am  I 
to  be  refused  ?  Nay,  this  is  a  favor  I  now  beg, 
ask,  yea,  more  than  that,  demand  of  you.  It  is 
not  the  days  of  fighting,  the  nights  of  vigilance, 
the  dangers  met  and  passed,  the  cords  that  bound 
these  wrists  in  captivity,  the  loss  of  this  hand,"  — 
here  Tonti  struck  the  table  with  his  gloved  hand, 
causing  a  sharp  metallic  sound,  —  "  and  the  shame 
at  having  chosen  an  ungrateful  King  to  serve 


i  26  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

that  cries  to  you  now  from  the  mouth  of  a  hum 
ble  Capitaine, —  it  is  more!  It  is  a  voice  higher 
than  the  voice  of  Kings,  louder  than  the  man 
dates  of  a  throne  :  it  is  the  voice  of  Eternal  Jus 
tice  calling  to  a  great  monarch,  one  who  believes 
himself  to  be  just,  whose  kingly  nature  cannot 
afford  to  be  ungrateful  to  even  the  meanest  of 
his  subjects." 

King  though  he  was,  Louis  delighted  in  a  brave 
man,  even  though  he  were  opposed  to  him.  The 
better  nature  of  the  monarch  was  stirred  at  such 
evident  injustice  at  his  hands,  so,  instead  of  being 
angry  at  Tonti  tor  his  plain  speaking  (strange 
speech  indeed  for  royal  ears  to  hear),  he  turned 
sharply  toward  Colbert. 

"  Your  explanation,"  he  demanded  curtly. 

"You  will  recollect,  Sire,  that  after  the  failure 
of  the  elder  Tonti's  plan,  you  were  very  much 
enraged,  feeling  that  he  had  deceived  you,  and 
desired  his  name  placed  on  the  list  of  those  liable 
to  have  lettres  de  cachet  issued  against  them?" 
said  Colbert  in  an  insinuating  tone,  as  though 
fearful  of  showing  the  King  the  fault  of  his  own 
doing.  "  In  some  way  his  name  was  not  erased, 
and  in  due  process  of  time  you  yourself  signed 
one  for  him;  he  was  apprehended,  confined  in 
the  Bastille,  and  died,  not  by  cruelty  of  those 
who  cared  for  him  as  his  son  suggests,  but  by  his 
own  hand.  Some  one  else  must  have  told  you 


Court  Butterflies  127 

the  story  about  his  retirement  to  Italy.  I  have 
never  heard  it  said." 

The  King  looked  at  his  oily-tongued  servant 
long  and  suspiciously,  but  such  was  the  confi 
dence  placed  in  him  and  so  great  was  his  influ 
ence  over  the  royal  mind  that  Louis  finally 
withdrew  his  gaze,  and  muttering,  "  I  must  have 
signed  it  without  looking  at  the  name,"  he  seized 
a  pen,  and  taking  up  the  unsigned  commission 
before  him,  interpolated  a  few  words  and  hur 
riedly  wrote  the  word  "  Louis,"  then  handed  it 
to  Tonti,  saying  : 

"  Shame  on  an  ungrateful  King  !  Accept  this 
commission  as  a  partial  return  for  your  own 
wrongs.  In  it  I  have  added  several  privileges 
additional.  As  to  the  injustice  to  your  father, 
believe  me,  Louis,  who  loves  to  be  called  c  the 
just,'  will  watch  over  your  endeavors  in  the  New 
World  and  reward  them  tenfold,  making  up  to  the 
son  in  some  measure  the  wrong  suffered  by  the 
father  at  my  hands.  Go,  and  may  success  be 
yours,  and  let  it  be  known  that  he  who  opposes 
you  strikes  at  the  King." 

Tonti  received  his  commission  in  silence,  and 
after  bending  and  kissing  the  royal  hand,  left  the 
room.  La  Salle  at  a  signal  from  Colbert  re 
mained.  Louis  buried  himself  in  a  lengthy  docu 
ment.  Colbert  called  to  him  his  secretary.  He 
was  the  Comte  de  Miron.  White  with  rage,  the 


128  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Minister  whispered  or  rather  hissed  into  his  ear : 
"  Did  you  see  that  man  who  just  now  left  the 
cabinet?"  The  Comte  nodded.  "Kill  me  him 
within  twenty-four  hours  !  "  The  Comte  glided 
out  by  another  door.  Colbert  then  wrote  on  a 
piece  of  paper  he  took  from  his  portfolio  the  fol 
lowing  letter  to  Laval,  Bishop  of  Quebec  : 

"  Your  messenger  has  arrived,  and  I  am  pleased  at  the 
reports  you  make  of  the  religious  health  of  the  colony. 
Your  various  requests  shall  be  complied  with.  I  recom 
mend  to  you  especially  the  bearer  of  this  letter.  The 
Sieur  de  la  Salle  has  my  confidence  and  love. 

"  COLBERT, 

"  Minister  of  Finance. 
"PARIS,  June,  zoth  day,  1678." 

He  smiled  as  he  wrote,  leaving  a  large  space 
between  the  lines.  He  had  prepared  the  sheet 
the  night  before,  having  written  a  message  in  sym 
pathetic  ink,  so  spacing  the  lines  that  they  would 
fit  in  between  those  just  written.  The  hidden 
message  ran  : 

"  Beware  of  La  Salle.  It  is  not  within  my  power  to 
hinder  his  departure.  Delay  not  his  plan  to  find  a  way 
to  China,  but  in  aught  else,  or  if  the  way  be  once  dis 
covered,  oppose  him.  Thwart  especially  all  his  efforts 
at  trade. 

"  Ad  Majorem  Dei  Gloriam, 

"  COLBERT,  S.  J." 


Court  Butterflies  129 

After  sealing  and  directing  it  he  handed  it  to 
La  Salle,  with  the  words :  "  By  your  favor :  for 
the  Bishop  of  Quebec." 

Meanwhile  Tonti  waited  for  his  friend  in  the 
Grand  Salle.  Not  more  than  twenty  people 
remained,  chiefly  gathered  about  Mademoiselle  at 
the  farther  end  of  the  room.  He  joined  them, 
and  listened  as  Mademoiselle  related  the  incident 
of  Renee  and  the  accident  to  her  chair.  During 
the  recital  he  worked  his  way  into  a  position  near 
her  elbow.  When  she  had  finished  he  asked  in  a 
low  tone  and  with  forced  indifference,  "  And  who 
might  the  fortunate  cavalier  be  who  came  so 
happily  to  her  aid  ?  " 

"  She  did  not  speak  his  name."  Then  in 
tones  so  low  that  only  Tonti  could  hear,  she 
added,  with  a  spiteful  gleam  in  her  eye,  "  But  she 
recognized  him.  It  v/as  the  great  explorer,"  then 
turned  her  head  away.  Tonti  was  dazed.  There 
was  only  one  great  explorer,  and  how  she  could 
have  confounded  himself  with  La  Salle  he  knew 
not.  Smarting  with  hurt  pride  an-d  disappoint 
ment,  he  looked  across  to  the  other  side  of  the 
group  and  saw  the  lowering  face  and  hate-filled 
eyes  of  the  Comte  de  Miron,  and  in  that 
glance  he  recognized  his  antagonist  of  the  day 
before. 

"A  contemptible  dog  that,"  he  said,  looking 


i  30  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

steadily  at  him,  "who  would  subject  a  lady  to 
such  indignity  and  alarm ;  worthy  only  to  be 
spat  upon." 

The  topic  of  conversation  changed,  and  Tonti, 
a  prey  to  a  mixture  of  emotions,  wishing  to  be 
alone,  sauntered  slowly  away  from  the  circle 
where  he  had  been.  A  moment  later  a  hand 
was  laid  upon  his  shoulder  and  a  voice  deep  with 
passion  exclaimed : 

"  You  may  have  an  opportunity  to  spit  upon 
the  contemptible  cur  you  mention,  Sir  Capitaine, 
or  be  appropriately  spitted  by  my  sword  ;  "  and 
at  the  same  instant  a  gauntlet  was  thrown  at  his 
feet. 

Tonti  looked  up,  and  seeing  it  was  the  Comte 
de  Miron  who  spoke,  carefully  brushed  away  at 
the  spot  on  his  shoulder  where  his  fingers  had 
rested,  and  replied  contemptuously  : 

"  You  know  the  recent  edict  of  the  King 
against  duelling ;  you  are  safe  in  your  offer." 

The  Comte  flushed.  "  Drive  in  a  coach  to 
morrow  at  noon  along  the  Chemin  de  Clamar ;  I 
shall  meet  you  coming  from  the  other  direction. 
Our  drivers  can  be  instructed  to  collide  opposite 
Mont  Parnasse ;  we  can  leap  forth,  and  with  the 
collision  as  a  pretext  we  can  fight  as  though  it 
were  a  sudden  matter.  No  seconds  need  be 
present,  so  that  none  may  know." 


Court  Butterflies  131 

"  I   accept,"  exclaimed  Tonti,  picking  up  the 
glove. 

"With  swords?"  asked  the  Comte. 

"With  swords." 

"A  I'outrance?  " 

"  To  the  very  death." 


Chapter  Nine 


DESCRIBES    A    ROADSIDE     MEETING,    A    WARN 
ING,    AND   A   FLIGHT 

WHEN  Tonti  had  breakfasted  the  next 
morning  he  explained  to  Pompon  the 
nature  of  his  drive,  and  ordered  him 
to  have  a  coach  waiting  for  him  in  front  of  the 
Louvre  at  eleven  o'clock.  He  then  sat  down 
and  wrote  a  letter  to  La  Salle,  explaining  every 
thing,  leaving  to  him  whatever  share  of  the  buried 
treasure  Pompon  was  willing  to  give  him,  and 
wishing  him  well  in  his  explorations  and  express 
ing  sincere  regret  that  a  question  of  honor  had 
come  up  for  settlement  just  as  they  were  about 
to  start.  He  sealed  and  addressed  it,  with  in 
structions  to  Pompon  to  deliver  same  in  case  of 
his  death.  He  then  divested  himself  of  a  por 
tion  of  his  clothing  and  practised  for  a  full  hour 
making  passes,  feints,  and  guards,  so  that  his 
joints  and  muscles  would  not  be  stiff  when  the 
time  of  need  arrived. 

Pompon,  who  had  been  sent  to  order  a  coach, 
not  having  returned,  and  it  now  being  a  few 
minutes  before  eleven,  he  left  a  note  of  farewell 

132 


A  Roadside  Meeting  133 

for  him  on  the  table,  and,  girding  on  his  sword, 
placed  the  handkerchief  with  the  letter  "  R  "  upon 
it  within  his  bosom  and  left  the  house.  Luckily 
he  had  brought  his  cloak  with  him,  for  he  found 
upon  reaching  the  street  that  a  fine  rain  was  fall 
ing.  At  the  Louvre  he  found  a  coach  waiting, 
and  he  was  soon  rolling  across  the  nearest  bridge, 
through  the  Porte  Dauphin,  along  the  Rue  du 
Four  and  into  the  Rue  de  Chasse  Midy,  then 
past  the  establishment  of  Les  Religieuses  du 
St.  Esprit  to  the  Chemin  de  Clamor.  By  this 
time  the  city  was  left  behind,  and  they  drove 
through  a  sparsely  built  suburban  region,  back 
of  the  Convent  des  Chartreuses.  The  open  fields 
in  this  quarter  were  favorite  duelling  grounds, 
especially  those  about  a  slight  elevation  of 
ground  called  Mont  Parnasse,  which  they  now 
approached. 

Knowing  that  the  carriage  containing  the  Comte 
de  Miron  would  soon  meet  his,  and  that  the  col 
lision  which  was  to  be  the  pretext  of  the  duel 
was  imminent,  he  withdrew  the  handkerchief  from 
its  hiding-place  and  kissed  it  gently  before  return 
ing  it.  Then  having  loosened  his  sword  in  its 
sheath,  he  awaited  the  end  impatiently.  Presently 
he  heard  the  warning  shouts  of  his  driver,  mingled 
with  oaths  and  imprecations  from  another  tongue. 
A  few  seconds  later  came  a  shock  that  almost 
threw  him  from  his  seat.  The  coach  stopped, 


134  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and,  alighting,  he  found  the  vehicle  with  which 
they  had  collided  on  its  side  in  the  ditch,  with 
the  Comte  de  Miron  climbing  through  its  open 
door,  his  face  spattered  with  mud  and  his  temper 
not  improved  by  the  knowledge  of  the  appear 
ance  he  knew  he  must  present. 

Together  they  walked  across  the  field  some 
fifty  paces'  distance  from  their  carriages,  Tonti's 
driver  accompanying  them  to  render  any  assist 
ance  needed  in  removing  their  outer  garments, 
while  the  other  remained  with  the  horses.  The 
preliminaries  being  arranged,  the  two  men  faced 
each  other. 

"  En  garde  I "  cried  the  Comte  de  Miron 
between  his  teeth. 

"  En  garde  !  "  came  from  Tonti  in  calm  and 
measured  tones. 

The  swords  touched,  crossed,  and  the  fight 
was  on.  Both  learned  in  a  few  moments  that 
neither  had  a  weak  opponent  before  him.  Each 
tried  the  other  with  all  the  commoner  thrusts 
only  to  find  him  ready  with  a  parry.  At  last 
Tonti,  in  order  to  tire  his  antagonist  and  thus 
make  it  easier  when  he  next  attacked  him,  main 
tained  the  defensive  only.  His  thoughts  wandered 
away  from  the  scene  before  him  and  he  seemed 
to  stand  in  the  same  room  he  had  visited  yester 
day,  gazing  upon  the  face  that  he  realized  now 
that  he  loved.  Only,  instead  of  her  eyes  follow- 


A  Roadside  Meeting  135 

ing  the  printed  pages  of  a  book,  they  looked  into 
his  own  with  a  friendly  gaze.  But  as  he  looked 
they  suddenly  changed  and  a  gleam  of  terror  and 
horror  filled  them,  as  though  they  saw  a  terrible 
sight,  and  her  hand  was  raised  as  though  in 
warning. 

At  this  instant  the  Comte  de  Miron  pretended 
to  slip,  and  Tonti  involuntarily  raised  his  sword- 
point  to  enable  him  to  recover  his  footing.  The 
look  of  terror  in  the  face  of  the  one  he  loved 
brought  him  suddenly  back  to  a  full  realization 
of  his  surroundings.  But  it  was  too  late.  The 
Comte,  counting  upon  the  honor  and  generosity 
of  his  foe  when  he  perceived  his  misstep,  and 
seeing  the  point  of  Tonti's  sword  raised,  made  a 
sudden  lunge,  a  twist  and  upward  movement, 
and  Tonti's  sword  was  hurled  from  his  hand  and 
lighted  point  downward  in  the  earth  just  outside 
his  reach.  Then  Tonti  realized  his  danger,  for 
his  foe,  with  unrepressed  hatred  gleaming  in  his 
eye,  made  for  him  as  he  stood  unarmed  and 
defenceless  before  him.  It  was  but  a  second's 
duration,  but  Tonti's  thought  flew  back  to  the 
street  where  they  had  met  and  he  heard  again  the 
voice  he  loved  cautioning  him  against  the  treach 
ery  of  the  man  before  him.  He  saw  the  loved 
eyes  quiver  yet  gaze  at  him  admiringly  as  he  met 
his  death  bravely  and  without  flinching.  Fully 
realizing  the  impossibility  of  escaping  assassina- 


136  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

tion,  he  resolved  not  to  shrink  before  his  treacher 
ous  foe,  so  with  a  look  of  contempt  in  his  eye 
and  the  words  "  For  you,  my  Rose  "  in  his  heart 
he  awaited  the  impact  of  the  deadly  weapon. 

Just  as  the  end  of  his  enemy's  sword  was  about 
to  enter  his  breast,  the  clicking  of  other  steel  was 
heard  and  the  point  was  struck  up  harmlessly  in 
the  air.  Tonti's  driver,  who  had  stood  very  near 
during  the  combat,  seeing  his  plight,  had  suddenly 
dropped  the  cloaks  he  was  holding,  and,  drawing 
a  sword  from  the  depths  of  the  great-coat  in 
which  he  was  muffled,  had  parried  the  blow. 
"  Wretch  !  "  he  said  contemptuously  to  the  Comte 
de  Miron.  Tonti  with  a  spring  recovered  his 
sword  and  returned  to  the  attack.  Before,  he 
had  had  but  little  heart  in  the  battle,  meaning 
only  to  inflict  some  trifling  wound,  knowing  that 
were  he  involved  in  any  mortal  combat  the  chances 
would  be  that  Colbert  would  seize  that  as  a  pre 
text  for  detaining  him,  despite  the  King's  protec 
tion,  and  La  Salle  would  have  to  sail  without 
him.  But  now,  blinded  by  the  fury  aroused  by 
the  vile  trick  of  his  opponent,  he  attacked  him 
with  all  his  skill  and  strength. 

"  Before  I  count  ten,  M.  le  Comte,"  he  said 
slowly,  "you  shall  die;  "  and  beginning  to  count 
each  stroke,  he  pressed  his  antagonist  hard,  reserv 
ing  a  half-forgotten  trick  of  the  sword,  learned  in 
Italy,  for  the  final.  The  Comte  de  Miron  re- 


A  Roadside  Meeting  i  37 

sponded  with  equal  fury  of  attack  and  defence, 
but  as  he  heard  Tonti  count  so  confidently  and 
saw  the  smile  of  triumph  on  his  face  he  weakened, 
and  the  sacrilegious  charm  he  wore  seemed  to 
burn  a  bright  red  spot  in  his  chest  as  a  sign  to 
Tonti  where  to  strike. 

"One!" 

A  spark  flew  between  the  blades. 

"  Two  !  " 

The  sword  play  became  more  furious. 

"  Three  !  " 

The  combatants  shifted  their  positions  contin 
uously. 

"  Four  !  " 

The  breathing  of  the  Comte  de  Miron  grew 
shorter  and  more  rapid. 

"  Five ! " 

His  thrusts  became  wilder  and  his  face  flushed, 
in  strong  contrast  with  the  coolness  and  precision 
of  his  opponent. 

"  Six !  " 

A  terrible  oath  escaped  his  lips  as  Tonti 
calmly  turned  aside  a  quick  stroke  on  which  he 
had  counted  much. 

"  Seven  !  " 

His  attack  weakened,  and  he  glanced  out  of 
the  corner  of  his  eye  to  see  if  Tonti's  driver  were 
near  enough  for  him  to  suddenly  seize  and  pull 
the  man  in  front  of  him  to  receive  the  fatal  blow 


138  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

in  his  body,  knowing  that  before  Tonti  could 
withdraw  his  sword  he  would  be  at  the  Comte's 
mercy. 

"  Eight ! " 

The  base  plan  was  impossible  of  execution,  as 
the  driver  now  stood  far  to  one  side.  He  then 
thought  of  escape  by  flight,  gaining  one  of  the 
horses  and  fleeing  to  the  city.  There  were  no 
seconds  present  to  witness  this  cowardly  action 
and  he  could  easily  bribe  the  two  drivers  to  dis 
credit  any  version  Tonti  might  give  of  the  affair. 
This,  too,  he  perceived  was  futile,  as  Tonti  stood 
between  him  and  the  road  where  the  horses  were 
standing. 

"Nine!" 

All  hope  was  now  gone  and  a  nameless  terror 
seized  him.  That  cursed  charm  burned  still 
brighter  over  his  heart.  He  vaguely  thought 
of  throwing  away  his  sword  and  falling  on  his 
knees  to  implore  mercy  from  his  foe.  Had  this 
plan  occurred  to  him  when  he  was  still  himself, 
calm  and  reasonable,  he  might  have  done  so,  but 
now,  with  his  brain  a-whirl  and  the  shaking  fear  in 
possession  of  him,  he  judged  Tonti  by  his  own 
standards  of  honor  and  believed  that  he  would 
in  turn  assassinate  him  in  cold  blood  even  as  he 
had  attempted  to  do  himself  but  a  short  time 
before.  His  last  hope  was  gone.  Perhaps  the 
charm  would  save  him  yet. 


A  Roadside  Meeting  139 

«  Ten  !  " 

A  cry  of  fear  broke  from  him  and  with  it  came 
a  last  appeal  to  Satan  for  assistance. 

At  the  word  Tonti  executed  the  stroke  he  had 
planned,  his  foe's  sword  was  turned,  and  his  own 
sword-point  running  along  inside  his  guard  en 
tered  his  breast  above  the  heart,  and  he  sank  to 
the  ground  with  a  groan,  while  a  red  stream 
gushed  from  his  mouth  and  chest. 

"  Dead  dogs  do  not  bite ;  still,  this  is  bad 
work,  mon  ami;  we  must  leave  quickly,"  said  a 
familiar  voice ;  and  Tonti,  looking  into  the  muf 
fled  face  of  his  driver,  recognized  Pompon. 
Before  they  could  say  anything  further  the  driver 
of  the  other  carriage  ran  up  and  presented  a  note 
to  Tonti.  It  was  written  in  a  feminine  hand  and 
ran  as  follows  : 

"The  death  of  the  Comte  de  Miron  will  be  promptly 
avenged.  You  must  flee  at  once  without  returning  to 
the  city.  Obey  whatever  the  bearer  of  this  note 
suggests." 

It  was  unsigned.  Tonti  was  suspicious,  so, 
handing  the  note  to  Pompon,  he  questioned  the 
driver,  endeavoring  to  elicit  from  him  some  infor 
mation  as  to  the  identity  of  the  writer,  but  it  was 
of  no  avail. 

"  I  was  to  tell  you  that  behind  yonder  clump 
of  trees  you  would  find  two  horses.  Take  them 


140  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  set  out  for  Etampes.  Take  this  ring,  and 
when  asked  by  any  one  to  show  it,  produce  it  and 
you  will  be  helped  to  La  Rochelle  and  kept  in 
hiding  until  your  ship  sails.  Surrender  it  when 
you  reach  the  end  of  your  road  to  whomsoever 
asks  for  it.  Further  than  that  I  cannot  speak, 
but  I  pray  you  make  haste." 

Pompon  approached  during  this  speech. 

"  His  advice  is  good.  If  it  is  treachery  we 
can  but  be  caught.  If  we  return  to  the  city  we 
shall  surely  not  escape.  I  prefer  the  chances 
of  treachery  in  the  open  country  to  a  certainty 
of  the  Bastille  in  Paris.  It  is  better  to  make 
conditions  in  the  brush  than  in  prison.  Think 
ing  some  such  emergency  might  arise  I  brought 
some  of  your  clothes,  our  supply  of  money,  and 
a  few  things  for  myself.  They  are  under  the 
seat  of  my  carriage.  I  shall  get  them." 

Tonti  finally  yielded,  and  the  two  leaving  the 
dying  man  in  care  of  the  agent  of  their  unknown 
friend,  they  proceeded  in  the  direction  pointed 
out.  Behind  the  trees  stood  two  magnificent 
English  horses,  all  ready  for  the  road,  with 
provender  for  beast,  and  food  and  drink  for  the 
men  attached  to  the  saddle,  while  on  one  was 
tied  a  little  bag  of  money  to  provide  against 
emergencies. 

"  We  shall  return  this  at  the  first  relay," 
said  Tonti,  as  they  swung  into  the  road  at  a  good 


A  Roadside  Meeting  141 

gallop.  "  Ma  foil  I  do  not  object  to  using  a 
stranger's  horses  to  make  my  escape,  but  I  will 
not  touch  his  gold." 

"  Judging  by  the  fodder  for  the  horses,  they 
think  that  there  is  urgent  need  of  our  not  losing 
time  by  stopping  to  feed  them.  We  have  ten 
leagues  before  us  and  that  means  five  good  hours 
of  saddle  work.  However,  with  another  man's 
horses  and  your  own  whip  one  can  accomplish 
a  great  deal,"  was  Pompon's  advice. 

As  they  warmed  to  their  task,  the  horses 
showed  their  splendid  breeding  and  staying 
powers.  On  they  went  all  the  afternoon  through 
the  heavy  rain  that  had  closed  down  upon 
them.  Towards  dark  the  signs  of  approach  to 
a  town,  much  larger  than  the  villages  they  had 
passed  through,  warned  them  of  their  first  halt 
ing-place. 

Just  before  crossing  a  small  bridge  two  men 
sprang  out  and  seized  both  horses  by  the  bridles; 
at  the  same  time  each  presented  a  -loaded  pistol 
at  their  heads. 

"  We  want  no  money,  gentlemen,"  came  a 
gruff"  voice  from  one  of  them,  "  we  need  jewelry. 
Have  you  any  rings  about  you  ?  " 

Tonti  looked  at  Pompon,  who  nodded.  He 
then  handed  the  ring  which  the  Unknown  had 
provided  them  with  to  the  speaker,  who  took 
it,  and,  after  disappearing  to  some  nook  where 


142  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

he  had  the  means  of  making  a  light  to  examine 
it  by,  returned  in  a  few  moments. 

"  They  are  the  ones,"  said  he  to  his  com 
panion,  as  he  returned  the  ring  to  Tonti.  At 
this  the  bridles  were  released  and  the  men 
removed  their  hats.  "You  must  be  in  Orleans 
by  morning,"  the  leader  said  respectfully.  "  Wait 
here  and  refresh  yourselves  with  the  food  and 
wine  you  have  with  you.  We  shall  return 
shortly,  bringing  fresh  horses." 

In  due  time  they  were  on  their  way  again  on 
new  mounts,  feeling  heartened  by  the  wine  and 
food  consumed.  On  through  the  drizzling  night 
they  went,  Pompon  showing  a  strange  familiarity 
with  the  road  whenever  any  question  of  that  char 
acter  arose. 

Thus  they  advanced,  showing  the  talismanic 
circlet  whenever  required  and  receiving  in  return 
fresh  horses,  a  hiding-place  to  sleep,  and  different 
disguises,  so  that  their  progress  could  not  be 
traced.  On  they  fared  through  Blois,  Tours 
and  Chinon,  Loudon  and  Parthenay,  and  over 
the  mountains  to  Fontenay.  Here  their  mys 
terious  ring  procured  them  a  guide,  who  con 
ducted  them  by  a  roundabout  way,  avoiding 
the  city  of  La  Rochelle  itself,  to  the  coast,  and 
along  the  water's  edge  to  a  cave  worn  by  the 
waves  out  of  the  rock,  where  they  could  overlook 
the  harbor  and  see  the  ship  "Saint  Honore " 


A  Roadside  Meeting  143 

that  was  to  bear  them  to  new  lands  riding  at 
anchor  not  half  a  league  away.  They  watched  it 
day  by  day,  as  boat-loads  of  provisions,  cannon, 
soldiers,  and  passengers  were  taken  out  and 
placed  on  board.  Their  faithful  guide  remained 
with  them,  going  out  at  night  for  food  and  for 
information  relative  to  the  progress  of  the  vessel's 
lading.  Thus  passed  several  weeks,  and  they 
were  beginning  to  weary  of  their  confinement 
when  news  came  that  La  Salle  had  arrived  and 
that  the  vessel  would  sail  at  the  turn  of  the 
tide  the  next  evening.  Their  guide  also  learned 
that  a  thorough  search  of  the  ship  had  been 
made  for  them  by  the  soldiers,  and  that  a  final 
visit  would  be  made  before  dark. 

At  length  the  day  darkened  and  the  night 
came  on.  A  small  fisherman's  boat  that  had 
been  at  work  all  the  afternoon  near  by,  drew  in 
towards  the  shore  as  night  fell,  and  soon  a  signal 
from  their  ally  brought  it  close  to  them.  Tonti 
surrendered  the  ring  upon  request  and  sought 
to  repay  their  guide,  but  as  in  all  the  other  cases, 
he  refused  the  offered  money.  So  helping  them 
into  the  boat,  he  waved  a  good-bye  from  shore, 
as  they  fast  disappeared  in  the  darkness. 

The  boatman  pulled  hard  at  the  oars,  and  they 
soon  found  themselves  nearing  the  ship.  A  few 
lights  on  her  decks  served  to  render  the  confusion 
existing  there  visible,  but  they  were  not  bright 


144  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

enough  to  illuminate  the  waters  about  the  vessel, 
while  the  noise  of  departure  —  her  anchor  was 
already  raised  and  her  small  forward  sails  set  — 
made  a  cautious  approach  unnecessary.  At  last 
they  found  themselves  directly  under  her  stern, 
and  the  rippling  of  the  water  warned  them  to 
hasten  ere  she  got  fully  under  weigh.  By  the 
advice  of  the  boatman,  Pompon,  agile  as  a  cat, 
swung  himself  up  on  to  a  small  swinging  scaffold 
that  had  been  used  in  painting  the  stern  of  the 
vessel,  and  had  been  overlooked  in  the  hurry  of 
sailing,  with  a  small  leather  pouch  tied  to  his 
body  that  he  had  brought  with  him  from  Paris. 
Tonti  then  handed  up  his  sword,  and  with  a  part 
ing. boost  from  the  boatman  soon  found  himself 
crouched  alongside  Pompon.  A  fragile,  swaying 
seat  it  was  indeed,  but  safe,  for  they  would  not 
dare  to  climb  to  the  deck  above  until  the  vessel 
had  cleared  the  harbor. 

Thus  did  three  men  sail  on  the  "Saint  Honore," 
parting  from  the  sunny  land  of  France  with  diverse 
emotions.  In  the  stern  stood  La  Salle,  looking 
back  at  the  fast-receding  lights  of  La  Rochelle, 
murmuring  the  words  of  that  plaintive  song  of 
Mary  Stuart  as  she  sailed  from  Calais  : 

"  Adieu  !   oh  plaisant  pays, 
Adieu  !  oh  ma  patrie, 

La  plus  cherie,  qui  a  nourrit 
Ma  belle  enfance  —  adieu  !  " 


A  Roadside  Meeting  145 

Yet  tinged  as  was  his  mind  with  regret  at  leav 
ing  civilization  and  the  new  love  that  had  arisen 
in  his  heart,  he  still  looked  forward  with  eagerness 
to  the  great  task  before  him.  All  was  secondary 
to  this.  For  this  he  lived;  for  this  he  would 
die. 

Shivering  in  his  cramped  position  on  the  swing 
ing  stage  below  him,  a  little  man  with  scarred  face 
and  crafty  eye  shook  his  fist  in  triumph  at  his 
escape  from  the  land  and  the  woman  that  had 
both  used  him  so  ill. 

Another  man  beside  him,  as  the  tacking  of  the 
ship  brought  the  distant  lights  in  view  for  the  last 
time,  stretched  towards  the  shore  a  hand  trem 
bling  with  a  new  and  sweet  emotion,  as  he  mur 
mured :  "Adieu!  my  Rose,  until  we  meet." 


10 


Chapter   Ten 

WHEREIN  A  SEA  IS  CROSSED,  A  SECRET  IS 
DISCOVERED,  AND  TONTI  RECEIVES  A 
BLOW 

THE  lights  were  soon  gone,  but  still  the 
silent  figure  of  La  Salle  remained  on 
the  poop.  Pompon,  seizing  a  rope,  soon 
raised  his  head  above  the  level  of  the  rail.  So 
wrapped  in  thought  was  La  Salle  that  he  took  no 
notice  of  him  until  he  had  reached  the  deck. 
Then  startled  at  the  sudden  noiseless  appearance 
of  a  human  form  so  near  him,  he  stepped  back 
a  pace,  and,  drawing  his  sword,  demanded  who  it 
was. 

"  Save  your  sword-thrusts  for  your  enemies ; 
use  them  not  on  a  friend,"  replied  the  figure. 

"What!  Pompon's  voice!"  exclaimed  La 
Salle,  as  he  seized  his  hand  in  great  delight. 
"  Pompon's  face  !  "  he  added,  as  he  peered  anx 
iously  through  the  darkness.  "  Mon  Dieu  I  I  was 
thinking  of  you  and  Tonti  but  a  moment  ago. 
Where  is  he,  for  surely  you  are  together  ?  " 

"  He  is  taking  a  last  view  of  the  shore-lights 
from  his  private  balcony.  Perhaps  he  has  fin- 

146 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  147 

ished,"  was  the  reply ;  and  leaning  over  the  rail, 
Pompon  gave  a  low  whistle.  In  a  moment  Tonti 
had  clambered  up,  and  soon  all  three  were  en 
gaged  in  an  eager  conversation. 

"  I  had  given  you  up  for  lost,"  said  La  Salle. 
"  All  Paris  was  whispering  of  your  duel  with  the 
Comte  de  Miron  and  his  death.  But  all  was 
mystery.  He  had  disappeared,  his  body  no  doubt 
secreted  by  his  coachman  ;  you  too  had  disap 
peared,  having  fled  to  England  it  was  said  ;  while 
Pompon,  whom  I  searched  for  diligently,  was  no 
where  to  be  found.  The  King  was  inclined  to 
be  vexed  over  your  disobeying  his  order  concern 
ing  duelling,  but  I  think  he  was  secretly  pleased 
at  getting  rid  of  the  Comte  de  Miron,  whom  he 
disliked.  Only  the  influence  of  Colbert  kept  him 
about  the  court." 

Thus  did  the  partners  in  the  firm  of  M.  Tonti 
and  Company  hold  their  first  meeting  outside 
France,  and  the  night  was  far  spent  before  they 
finished  recounting  their  adventures  and  laying 
plans  for  the  future.  No  light  was  thrown  upon 
the  identity  of  their  mysterious  protector,  and 
the  m?tter  was  finally  dismissed  as  a  riddle  to 
be  solved  at  some  later  day. 

There  was  plenty  of  time  for  the  full  discussion 
of  their  plans,  for  the  "  Saint  Honore,"  although 
a  stanch  little  craft  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  tons, 
was  driven  from  her  course  by  contrary  winds, 


148  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  drifted  through  many  lazy  days  for  lack  of 
any.  The  passengers  consisted  of  a  party  of 
soldiers  sent  to  swell  the  available  fighting  force 
to  be  used  against  the  Indians;  a  flock  of  thirty 
girls  travelling  under  the  care  of  Madame  Bour 
don,  all  seeking  homes  and  husbands  in  the  new 
strange  land  across  the  sea ;  ship-carpenters  and 
workers  in  iron,  for  the  need  of  building  small 
ships  to  trade  with  the  Indians  and  explore  the 
coasts  had  been  emphasized  by  Frontenac  in  his 
letters  to  the  King  and  Colbert;  stone  masons 
and  builders  to  help  the  settlers  erect  their 
homes  as  well  as  build  new  forts;  adventurers, 
escaped  exiles,  and  political  refugees,  seeking 
under  new  names  to  travel  in  the  King's  ship, 
and  then  lose  themselves  in  the  savage  wilds. 
Among  these  were  some  thirty  men  whom  La 
Salle  had  tempted  by  goodly  sums  and  far  good 
lier  promises  of  riches  to  be  found  in  the  New 
World,  and  tales  of  mystery,  and  of  untold  wealth 
that  only  needed  daring  hearts  and  hands  to 
secure  it ;  some  were  honest  artisans  whom  he 
needed  in  his  explorations,  especially  to  build 
ships  on  the  lakes.  For  this  purpose  a  store  of 
iron,  cordage,  and  anchors  was  carefully  packed 
away  in  the  hold. 

La  Salle  and  Tonti  kept  to  themselves,  but 
Pompon  went  about  the  ship  making  friends 
with  every  one  in  spite  of  his  ugly  face,  busying 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  149 

himself  in  finding  out  everything  he  could  from 
each  person,  amusing  them,  but  telling  nothing 
in  return.  He  diced  with  the  soldiers  and  ad 
venturers,  and  spun  yarns  with  the  sailors  derived 
from  his  experience  in  the  galleys,  but  carefully 
disguised,  he  himself  usually  figuring  as  a  brave 
officer  in  command  of  one  of  His  Majesty's  ships  ; 
the  women  folks  he  sedulously  shunned. 

The  three  spent  many  evenings  in  La  Salle's 
quarters  because  they  were  much  roomier  than 
the  rest,  and  over  their  wine  they  gradually 
revealed  much  of  their  past  lives  to  each  other, 
and  grew  in  camaraderie,  and  the  bonds  of  good- 
fellowship  were  knit  more  tightly.  During  one 
of  these  hours  Pompon,  who  always  used  his  eyes 
to  advantage,  spied  a  letter  on  the  floor,  dropped 
unconsciously  by  La  Salle  while  looking  over 
his  effects.  The  written  surface  lay  uppermost, 
and  as  it  lay  Pompon  recognized  the  writing  of 
the  hated  Colbert.  Carefully  he  placed  one  foot 
upon  it,  and  later,  pretending  to  drop  his  cap, 
he  picked  it  up,  together  with  the  letter,  and 
secreted  it  in  his  coat. 

Retiring  to  his  own  cubby-hole,  he  unscrupu 
lously  began  to  open  it  without  breaking  the 
seal.  A  little  heat  and  a  sharp  point  of  a  dagger 
were  all  that  were  necessary.  A  little  more  heat 
and  careful  pressure  would  seal  it  up  again 
afterwards.  A  look  of  disappointment  appeared 


150  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

as  he  read  the  letter  and  noted  its  friendly  tone, 
but  as  he  read  the  word  "  Colbert"  his  pupils 
contracted  and  a  look  of  ardent  hatred  and  cun 
ning  shot  from  them,  and  he  again  noted  the 
paper  carefully,  holding  it  up  to  the  light  at 
different  angles,  but  to  no  purpose.  At  length, 
his  suspicions  confirmed  by  the  wide  spacing 
between  the  lines,  he  opened  his  leathern  pouch, 
and  taking  a  little  powder,  he  mixed  it  with  water 
and  carefully  let  a  single  drop  fall  between  two 
of  the  lines.  A  cry  of  triumph  escaped  him  as 
the  words  "  La  Salle  "  appeared  clear  and  distinct 
in  the  blank  space.  Hastily  summoning  Tonti, 
he  told  him  what  he  had  done.  Tonti  reproved 
him  sharply,  but  Pompon  defended  himself  with 
the  argument  that  the  knowledge  of  the  hidden 
message  might  determine  the  success  or  failure 
of  the  entire  expedition,  and  finally  gained  his 
consent  to  a  further  examination  of  the  letter. 

"  Ma  foi  I  the  end  justifies  the  means,  as  our 
friends  the  Jesuits  say,"  he  exclaimed. 

Together  they  went  over  the  letter  until  all 
of  the  hidden  words  had  flashed  out  their  secret 
message  and  disappeared. 

"A  man  warned  is  half  saved,"  was  Pompon's 
only  comment  as  they  finished  their  task  in 
silence  and  looked  into  each  other's  eyes.  And 
then  and  there  was  born  in  the  mind  of  each  the 
first  realization  of  the  dangers  and  difficulties 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  151 

for  their  comrade  and  themselves  ;  a  realization 
for  the  first  time  of  hidden  foes  and  secret  peril. 
Then,  too,  came  into  each  heart  the  first  resolve 
to  watch  over  their  leader  with  a  care  and  cun 
ning  equal  to  that  displayed  by  his  foes.  And 
thus  between  them  all  a  new  bond  was  forged 
that  was  to  bind  them  together  and  make  them 
comrades  and  brothers  all. 

Long  that  night  the  two  conspirators  tossed 
in  their  sleepless  bunks,  weighed  down  with  the 
mysterious  message  they  dared  not  reveal  to  their 
companion.  Above  them  La  Salle  wrote  in  a 
letter  to  the  Prince  de  Conti  he  was  preparing  to 
send  back  by  the  first  outgoing  ship  when  they 
had  reached  Quebec:  "  Capitaine  Tonti's  amiable 
disposition  and  honorable  character  have  been 
well  known  to  you.  For  me,  I  am  just  learning 
to  appreciate  both.  The  man  draws  me  as  a 
brother,  and  I  have  learned  to  love  him  as  such. 
I  would  trust  him  even  to  the  uttermost;  more 
than  I  can  say  of  any  other  man.  May  le  ban 
Dieu  grant  us  success  !  But  whether  or  no,  I 
believe  we  shall  rise  or  sink  together.  As  for  his 
companion  whom  you  have  not  heard  of  before, 
he  is  a  man  of  infinite  resource,  and,  albeit  a  rascal, 
I  believe  him  true  to  us." 

A  mass  of  rolling  water  encompassed  them 
about.  Each  little  wave  laughed  and  sparkled 
beneath  the  sun's  first  kiss  in  the  early  morning; 


152  A  Rose  of  Normandy' 

each  little  wave  donned  its  white  nightcap  as  the 
wind  freshened  after  the  sun  went  down  ;  each 
little  wave  with  its  tiny  strength  urged  on  the 
ship.  And  so  the  summer  days  were  filled  with 
light  and  the  nights  with  the  moon's  sheen  upon 
the  surface  of  the  water  or  the  myriad  reflection 
of  the  stars  that  guided  the  ship's  course  through 
the  long  lone  watches. 

The  gray  twilight  and  the  first  half  of  the  night 
were  often  spent  in  conversation  by  the  three 
explorers  on  the  poop  just  outside  of  hearing  of 
the  helmsman.  Then  it  was  that  La  Salle  told 
of  his  early  life:  of  the  days  spent  among  his 
Jesuit  teachers ;  of  the  first  voyage  to  the  new 
land ;  of  his  early  efforts  to  penetrate  the  wilder 
ness  ;  of  the  life  and  history  of  the  colony  ;  of 
the  rivalry  between  himself  and  the  Jesuit  mis 
sionaries  and  their  followers  for  the  fur-trade  with 
the  Indians  and  the  efforts  they  made  use  of  to 
thwart  his  plans.  At  times  the  genial  side  of  his 
nature  showed  itself  in  the  recital  of  amusing  inci 
dents  of  the  court,  at  Quebec,  in  the  camp. 

One  night  it  was  Tonti  who  related  some  of 
his  experiences  in  his  various  campaigns,  con 
trasting  the  humane  treatment  the  sailors  of  the 
"  Saint  Honore "  received  with  that  accorded 
to  the  unhappy  galley-slaves  who  urged  on  His 
Majesty's  galleys  to  victory  or  sank  with  them, 
chained  to  the  oar,  in  their  defeat. 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  153 

"  Mafoi  !  "  exclaimed  Pompon,  "  and  the  whip  ! 
I  have  the  stripes  of  many  a  blow  upon  my  back 
yet." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Tonti  musingly,  "  I  remember 
one  act  of  greatest  cruelty.  I  was  once  in  com 
mand  of  a  galley  ;  yet  1  saw  but  little  of  the  men 
below  decks.  One  day  while  walking  where  the 
poor  devils  sat  chained  to  their  benches  I  came 
upon  an  officer  of  the  ship  striking  one  wretch 
with  a  leather  whip  to  which  were  tied  little  pieces 
of  metal,  sharp  and  cruel,  that  brought  the  blood 
after  even  the  lightest  blow.  The  fellow  was 
accused  of  shirking  his  work,  but  it  was  from 
sheer  exhaustion  as  I  well  knew,  for  their  only 
food  was  —  " 

"  A  mouldy  biscuit  soaked  in  weakened  wine," 
murmured  Pompon. 

"  Yes,  some  such  non-supporting  diet,"  re 
sumed  Tonti.  "  The  officer  had  loosed  him  from 
his  seat  and  dragged  him  to  the  open  space  be 
tween  the  rows  of  benches,  the  better  to  have 
room  to  swing  his  lash.  As  I  approached  I  found 
the  poor  wretch,  half  fainting,  fallen  upon  one 
knee,  while  the  brute  with  the  whip  had  lashed 
his  face  so  that  a  deep  red  gash  extended  from 
the  top  of  his  head  down  across  his  forehead 
nearly  to  the  nose  and  — " 

"  His  eyes  were  blinded  with  the  blood  flowing 
from  his  wounds,"  suggested  Pompon. 


154  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  True,"  replied  Tonti,  "  yet  he  would  not  ask 
mercy,  but,  half  insensible  as  he  was,  he  — 

"  Cursed  his  oppressor  and  taunted  him  to  do 
his  worst,"  again  Pompon  interposed. 

"  He  did  indeed,"  cried  Tonti  admiringly. 
"  Slave  as  he  was,  he  had  no  fear.  I  was  sickened 
and  angered  at  the  sight,  and  I  approached  the 
officer  —  " 

"  Upbraided  him  for  his  deviltry,  struck  aside 
the  whip,  and  with  one  blow  of  your  iron  fist 
sent  him  tumbling  forward,  the  great  lumbering 
ox  that  he  was,  until  his  face  was  smeared  with 
the  captive's  blood  upon  the  boards  and  his  own 
ran  freely.  Mordi !  but  it  was  a  blessed  sight," 
went  on  Pompon,  taking  up  the  narrative. 

"Yes,  but  —  "  began  Tonti  in  astonishment. 

"  Then  you  called  for  assistance,  and  before  it 
came  you  bathed  the  wounds  even  of  a  slave,  and 
ordered  wine  and  strengthening  food,"  replied 
Pompon  fervently. 

"  How  —  "  exclaimed  Tonti  and  La  Salle  to 
gether. 

"  And  forbade  such  treatment  in  the  future. 
Ah  !  Mon  Dieu  !  but  they  did  not  forget  you 
and  your  kindness,  and  when  the  next  engage 
ment  came  they  toiled  for  you  willingly  without 
need  of  whip,  until  the  blades  bent,  cracked,  yes, 
more,  for  he  whom  you  aided  put  all  his  strength 
into  your  service  —  and  broke  his  oar." 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  155 

"  Cospetto  !  "  cried  Tonti.     cc  You  were  —  " 

"  The  beaten  slave,"  rejoined  Pompon.  "  And 
you  were  my  deliverer !  A  curse  upon  these 
eyes  of  mine  that  took  one  look  and  vowed  they 
would  ever  recognize  you.  But  I  have  felt  since 
our  strange  meeting  in  your  garret  that  there  was 
somewhat  in  your  face  that  stirred  my  recollec 
tion.  Verily,  your  services  have  made  my  account 
so  great  I  can  never  hope  to  pay  you.  Through 
all  the  years  of  my  imprisonment  I  have  wished 
to  learn  the  identity  of  two  persons.  The  one, 
my  accuser,  I  found  and  avenged  myself  that 
night  at  Ecouen.  The  other,  my  savior,  I  have 
now  discovered.  Capitaine  Tonti,  you  found  me 
then  an  unwilling  captive ;  from  this  hour  I  here 
renounce  my  allegiance  to  my  King  and  transfer 
it  to  you  ;  "  and  kneeling  before  the  astonished 
Tonti,  he  seized  his  hand  and  pressed  it  to  his 
forehead  in  token  of  fealty  and  servitude. 

Tonti  quickly  raised  him.  "  Nay,  not  so,"  he 
said,  touched  at  the  man's  gratitude.  "  We 
talk  not  of  slaves  who,  having  escaped  the  old, 
seek  now  for  the  new.  Your  bravery  while  a 
bondsman  won  my  admiration.  Let  me  find 
you  as  brave  and  true  a  comrade,  fellow-worker, 
friend." 

Thus  passed  the  days  until  full  two  months 
had  gone  and  the  summer  winds  had  changed  to 
September  gales.  Already  the  floating  sea-weed 


156  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  screaming  birds  told  them  that  land  was  near. 
One  night  the  three  sat  listening  to  the  sound  of 
wind  and  wave.  Tonti  was  silent,  while  his  com 
panions  talked.  The  master  of  the  ship  had 
been  commissioned  to  bring  over  a  lute  and  sev 
eral  other  musical  instruments  for  the  Comte  de 
Frontenac.  It  was  this  lute  that  Tonti  had  bor 
rowed,  and,  heedless  now  and  then  of  the  flagging 
conversation,  he  idly  picked  out  some  old  for 
gotten  strains  upon  the  strings,  his  thoughts  far 
distant. 

At  length  Pompon  left  them.  La  Salle,  after 
a  few  moments'  silence,  said  : 

"  Mon  Dieu !  you  are  a  man  of  accomplish 
ments,  mon  ami;  a  soldier  and  a  musician.  It 
needs  only  that  you  become  a  poet  and  the 
three  great  arts  will  be  found  combined  in  one 
man." 

Tonti  smiled.  "We  once  toasted  your  Lily 
of  Poitou,"  he  said.  "  Listen,  now,  while  I  tell 
you  of  my  Rose  of  Normandy.  Perhaps  if  you 
will  but  forget  the  singer,  you  may  be  pleased 
like  I  am  with  the  subject  of  my  song."  So  say 
ing,  he  played  a  few  chords  and  began  to  sing  to 
an  old  Italian  air  : 

Whilst  poets  celebrate  in  rhyme 
Some  comely  maid  of  high  degree, 
The  praises  rare  I  'd  gladly  sing 
Of  Rose,  my  Rose,  of  Normandy. 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  157 

The  sunbeams  nestle  in  her  hair, 
Her  lips  are  wondrous  red  to  see, 
A  roguish  glance  beams  from  her  eye, 
The  eye  of  Rose  of  Normandy. 

Sweet  thoughts  and  pure  possess  her  mind, 
From  earthly  dross  and  blemish  free  ; 
An  earnest  purpose  fills  the  soul 
Of  Rose,  my  Rose,  of  Normandy. 

Within  the  empire  of  her  heart 
I  fain  would  reign  its  king  to  be ; 
But  other  hands  I  fear  will  pluck 
This  Rose,  my  Rose,  of  Normandy. 

"  Bravo  !  Monsieur  Poet,"  applauded  La 
Salle.  "  Would  that  I  had  your  gift  of  rhyming. 
I  fear  my  sober  monastic  training  destroyed  any 
latent  talent  I  might  have  had.  If  I  could  I 
would  sing  to  you  in  return  the  charms  of  my 
fair  one." 

A  silence  ensued,  broken  only  by  the  creaking 
of  the  ship's  timbers,  the  shrilling  of  the  wind 
through  the  rigging,  and  the  sound  of  rushing 
waters  as  the  vessel  careened  on  her  course.  A 
falling  star  shot  its  tiny  spark  across  the  heavens ; 
the  muffled  sound  of  human  voices  came  up  from 
the  interior  of  the  "Saint  Honore";  the  ship's 
bell  announced  the  arrival  of  midnight. 

At  length  Tonti  aroused  himself  from  his 
re  very  and  spoke  to  his  friend,  who  in  turn  was 


158  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

unconscious  of  his  surroundings,  so  great  was 
the  power  of  thought  over  his  physical  environ 
ment. 

"  Do  you  recollect  our  first  meeting,  mon  Capi- 
talne^  how  you  promised  to  tell  me  the  name  of 
your  lady  when  we  had  once  left  the  land  be 
hind  us?  Perhaps  although  your  rhymes  be 
faulty,  one  could  learn  something  of  her  from 
your  prose." 

"  True,  mon  ami,  but  words,  even  though  they 
be  not  those  of  poesy,  would  utterly  fail  to 
describe  the  person  of  her  who  has  entered  my 
life  but  recently,  but  whose  angelic  presence  I 
trust  shall  remain  with  me  forever.  But  I  shall 
spare  you  all  rhapsodies.  She  whom  I  call  my 
Lily  of  Poitou  is  a  daughter  of  a  noble  of  that 
province;  her  name,  Renee  d'Outrelaise.  She 
lives  with  Mademoiselle  as  a  companion  and 
friend.  So  far  she  has  not  been  seen  at  court, 
but  keeps  close  to  her  protectress,  and  is  visible 
only  to  those  honored  few  to  whom  Mademoi 
selle  chooses  to  show  her ;  for  all  of  which  I  am 
thankful.  The  Princess  as  a  patroness  of  the 
Arts  and  Literature  has  been  pleased  to  interest 
herself  in  my  explorations  and  has  invited  me  on 
a  number  of  occasions  to  rehearse  to  her  my 
adventures  in  New  France  and  relate  all  that 
would  interest  her  about  the  land  and  its  inhabi 
tants.  Mile.  d'Outrelaise  has  been  present  at 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  159 

most  of  our  interviews,  and  it  was  while  thus  en 
gaged  that  I  realized  that  a  new  strange  feeling 
had  arisen  within  my  heart,  a  feeling  that  men 
lightly  call  love,  but  which  I  recognize  as  an  in 
spiring,  ennobling  influence  that  means  much 
more  to  me." 

La  Salle,  not  noticing  his  companion's  silence, 
continued  : 

"  Mademoiselle  has  known  by  reputation  some 
of  my  relatives  and  connections  and  thinks  highly 
of  me  as  well  as  my  projects,  and  I  know  ap 
proves  my  suit.  Renee  has  never  shown  aught 
in  her  demeanor  that  betokened  a  return  of  my 
affection,  nor  have  I  ever  spoken  words  of  love 
to  her,  partly  from  my  lack  of  courage  and  partly 
from  the  fact  that  I  have  seen  her  alone  but 
once.  I  feel  safe  in  her  retired  life,  believing 
Mademoiselle  to  be  my  ally ;  besides,  she  is 
young  yet.  If  I  but  accomplish  what  I  hope  to 
do,  I  can  return  in  two  or  three  years  with  honor, 
power,  and  wealth  and  claim  her  for  my  own. 
She  will  be  guided  largely  in  her  choice  of  a  hus 
band  by  the  Princess's  counsel  and  wishes.  I 
saw  her  the  day  I  left  Paris,  and  our  parting 
interview  augered  well  for  my  hopes." 

"  How  so  ?  "  asked  Tonti  in  a  hard  strained 
voice. 

"  I  detected  evidences  of  long  weeping  in  her 
eyes  ;  she  was  agitated  beyond  measure,  and  ex- 


160  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

pressed  the  warmest  wishes  for  the  safety  and 
success  of  my  expedition ;  and  best  of  all,  after  I 
had  kissed  the  hand  of  Mademoiselle  in  adieu, 
she  permitted  me  the  same  privilege,  and  gave  me 
as  a  parting  remembrance  a  silken  flag  of  France 
worked  by  her  own  fair  ringers." 

The  approach  of  Pompon  cut  short  any  further 
speech  from  La  Salle  and  permitted  Tonti  to 
withdraw  to  another  portion  of  the  ship,  a  prey 
to  the  deepest  emotion.  As  he  stood  by  the  rail 
and  looked  across  the  tumbling,  surging  mass  of 
waters  which  a  rising  storm  had  quickened,  he 
felt  in  full  sympathy  with  its  tempestuous  nature. 
And  when  the  rain  fell  and  the  wind  became 
a  gale  and  the  vessel  bobbed  about  on  the 
water,  he  still  retained  his  post,  oblivious  of  the 
outer  tempest,  engulfed  as  was  his  spirit  amid 
the  waves  of  jealous  alarm,  unhappiness,  and 
despair. 

Here  was  a  blight  upon  his  new-formed  hopes  ; 
the  man  whom  he  had  promised  to  serve  as 
companion  and  friend,  the  one  to  whom  he 
warmed  as  never  to  mortal  man,  was  now  an 
unconscious  rival.  In  the  first  onrush  of  the 
tempest  that  stirred  his  passionate  nature  he 
hated  him,  and  cursed  the  day  they  first  met. 
Were  not  the  glory  and  honor  and  riches  that 
were  just  ahead  on  the  explorer's  path  sufficient 
but  that  he  must  take  his  love,  she  whom  he 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  161 

realized  was  all  in  all  to  him,  too  ?  And  the 
melody  of  the  song  he  had  sung  with  its  closing 
words,  words  written  in  a  moment  of  joy  and 
hope,  that  were  in  reality  full  of  pathetic  fore 
boding,  passed  through  his  mind  again : 

But  other  hands  I  fear  will  pluck 
This  Rose,  my  Rose,  of  Normandy. 

But  when  the  tide  of  feeling  had  reached  its 
full,  then  came  the  calm  before  the  ebb.  The 
soldier's  sense  of  justice  showed  him  clearly  that 
his  friend  was  innocent  of  any  desire  to  work 
him  harm.  That  he  really  was  the  interloper, 
for  La  Salle  had  known  her  for  weeks  and 
months,  while  his  acquaintance  was  but  that  of 
a  day.  And  the  strong  feeling  of  remaining 
stanchly  loyal  to  his  commander,  even  though 
it  meant  to  take  sides  against  himself,  came  to 
his  rescue.  Then,  too,  the  careful  recollection 
of  the  two  short  glimpses  he  had  had  of  the  fair 
lady  showed  him  but  too  plainly  that  he  had 
small  grounds  of  hope  on  which  to  build. 

On  into  the  early  morning  watches  he  strug 
gled  with  himself.  The  Jove  of  a  man  for  a 
woman  battled  strong  with  a  man's  love  for 
honor  and  that  which  he  deemed  the  right.  And 
lo  !  a  paradox  appeared,  for  in  the  strife  although 
honor  won,  yet  in  no  wise  was  his  love  for 
the  woman  conquered  or  belittled  by  the  strife, 


IT 


1 62  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

but  rather  was  it  enlarged,  illumined,  and  made 
stronger  still,  for  he  could  at  once  give  full  alle 
giance  to  his  love  and  yet  resolve  that  come  what 
might  he  would  in  no  wise  be  false  to  his  friend ; 
that  he  could  glorify  and  worship  the  one  and 
keep  this  secret  hid  from  the  other  ;  could  aid 
his  companion  with  all  his  strength  and  leave  the 
future  to  le  bon  Dieu,  who  controls  every  man's 
destiny.  The  battle  once  won,  he  could  look 
forward  with  the  hope  that  by  being  true  to  both 
now,  his  reward  would  somehow  be  forthcoming 
when  the  work  was  done.  And  as  the  first  morn 
ing  rays  touched  the  ship's  deck  they  fell  upon 
the  figure  of  a  man,  not  worn  out  and  fatigued 
by  a  night's  struggle  and  exposure,  but  firm  and 
erect,  gazing  toward  the  new  land  but  one  day's 
journey  distant,  with  the  light  of  faith  and  hope 
and  love  in  his  countenance ;  and  the  greatest  of 
these  was  love. 

That  night  three  goblets  were  filled  to  the 
brim  and  emptied  and  filled  again.  Three  manly 
breasts  responded  to  the  thrill  of  a  common  lot, 
a  common  joy,  a  common  purpose.  Three  hands 
clasped  fealty  with  hands  that  gripped  them  fast. 
They  pledged  the  King,  the  ship,  New  France, 
the  expedition,  and  last  of  all,  themselves. 

"  To  three  gallant  comrades,"  cried  La  Salle 
when  the  last  bumper  was  raised,  "  who  will  to 
each  other  be  true  —  " 


Tonti  Receives  a  Blow  163 

"  And  faithful,"  added  Tonti,  in  a  voice  vibrat 
ing  with  deep  feeling. 

"  Even  unto  death,"  said  Pompon  gravely. 
Thus  ran  the  toast ;  so  drank  they  all. 


Chapter  Eleven 

WHEREIN  ARE  MET  A  NEW  WORLD,  AN  ALLY 
IN  HIGH  PLACES,  AND  A  TEMPEST  IN  A 
TEAPOT 

A  DULL,  dark  day;  an  unfriendly  wind, 
necessitating  frequent  tacking  of  the 
ship  ;  the  lowering  of  clouds  that  now 
and  then  swept  down  upon  them,  enveloping 
everything  in  mist;  the  cry  of  water-fowl  unseen  ; 
the  sharp,  scared  glance  of  gulls  that  suddenly 
appeared  from  out  the  fog,  only  to  veer  abruptly 
away  and  be  swallowed  up  again  ;  and  then  the 
uplift  of  the  hazy  curtain,  and  the  sight  of  a 
dim  low  line  of  coast  with  shadowy  suggestion 
of  vast  mountain  ranges  on  the  horizon's  rim  ; 
—  this  was  their  welcome  to  New  France.  As 
yet  no  indication  appeared  to  show  them  they 
had  left  the  ocean  and  were  ascending  the  mighty 
stream  that  drained  a  continent.  But  finally, 
when  on  the  near  approach  to  the  northern  shore 
a  glimpse  was  caught  of  the  trading-station  at 
Tadoussac,  the  weary  passengers  first  realized 
that  their  journey  was  nigh  ended.  All  crowded 
to  the  rail  and  strained  their  eyes  to  feast  them 

164 


A  New  World  165 

on  the  land  of  their  dreams,  the  harbor  of  their 
hopes.  The  three  comrades  stood  beside  the 
captain  as  they  watched  the  sun's  first  rays  light 
up  the  beetling  rocks  of  Mai  Bay.  All  day  the 
glad  sunlight  and  the  clear  breeze  dried  the 
ship's  sails  and  warmed  the  hearts  of  all  on 
board  as  a  panorama  of  hitherto  unknown  beauty, 
painted  by  the  hand  of  Nature,  was  slowly  un 
rolled  before  their  wondering  eyes. 

The  river  gradually  narrowed,  and  soon  both 
shores  were  brought  within  sight  of  all.  Water 
falls  fell  like  trembling  white  ribbons  down  the 
barren  mountain-sides ;  the  rising  smoke  from 
wigwam  and  seigniory  betokened  the  presence  of 
man ;  the  yellow  strip  of  stubble-fields  from 
which  the  grain  had  been  harvested  followed 
the  shore  between  the  water's  edge  and  the  mass 
of  evergreen  verdure  of  the  interior. 

At  length,  after  passing  through  the  northern 
channel  between  the  island  of  Orleans,  edged  with 
houses  and  clearings,  and  the  mainland  shores  of 
Beaupre  and  Beauport,  the  good  ship  glided  into 
the  quiet  bay,  while  the  towering  heights  of  Que 
bec,  puissant  stronghold  of  a  new  country,  the 
comely  mistress  of  all  this  fair  land,  the  goal  of 
the  entire  company,  smiled  grimly  down  upon 
them.  The  promontory,  crowned  with  fort, 
churches,  seminary,  and  convent,  looked  indeed 
the  mighty,  silent  bulwark  that  it  was.  Soon 


1 66  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

was  the  silence  broken,  for  as  the  vessel   let  go 

*  o 

her  anchor  and  fired  her  salute,  a  puff  of  smoke 
came  from  the  fort  and  the  long,  deep  boom  of 
cannon  sounded  clear  in  the  early  autumn  air, 
while  from  the  flagstaff  on  the  Chateau  St.  Louis 
a  white  banner,  spangled  with  fleurs-de-lis,  waved 
official  welcome  to  the  King's  ship. 

A  score  of  canoes  shot  forth  from  the  shore  and 
surrounded  the  "  Saint  Honore,"  their  occupants 
eager  to  hear  the  news  from  the  home  country  and 
to  see  the  faces  of  the  newcomers.  On  board  every 
thing  was  in  confusion,  as  one  and  all  prepared  to 
exchange  their  cramped  quarters  for  the  liberty  of 
shore  life.  At  length  all  were  ready  to  land  and 
assembled  themselves  on  the  deck.  Just  then 
came  stealing  to  their  ears  the  sweet  tones  of  the 
Angelus,  hushing  the  noisy  throng  as  they  knelt, 
softened  by  this  homely  welcome  that  brought  the 
tears  to  more  than  one  eye  as  it  minded  them  of 
the  far-distant  Norman  coast  or  field  of  Picardy. 

As  the  canoe  containing  La  Salle  and  his  com 
panions  approached  the  landing-place  they  could 
see  it  filled  with  a  welcoming  crowd.  Foremost 
among  them  stood  the  Governor,  the  Intendant, 
and  members  of  the  Council,  together  with  the 
chief  men  of  the  town.  As  La  Salle  stepped 
ashore  the  Comte  Frontenac  met  him  with  a 
friendly  smile  and  hearty  grasp. 


A  New  World  167 

"  Bienvu,  mon  cher  La  Salle  !  Welcome  again 
to  Quebec  and  all  New  France,"  he  said. 

"  Thanks,  M.  le  Gouverneur,"  was  the  reply. 
"Ma  foil  but  I  like  not  the  rolling  ship  and 
long  voyage.  Give  me  rather  the  canoe  and 
paddle  again,  with  the  shore  always  in  easy 
reach  and  a  sheltered  spot  on  Mother  Earth  in 
which  to  sleep  or  stretch  my  limbs  before  the 
supper  fire.  But  I  forget ;  I  have  made  new 
friends  since  I  saw  you  and  have  brought  one, 
stanch  and  true,  with  me."  Thus  speaking,  he 
presented  Tonti.  Then  turning  to  a  man  who 
stood  with  a  lowering  brow,  biting  his  lips  as  he 
watched  the  hearty  exchange  of  greetings  between 
the  two  : 

"  Ah  !  and  you,  how  has  it  fared  with  M. 
1'Intendant  Duchesneau  ?  And  you  also,  Bizard, 
and  little  Barrois  too  ?  Par  Dieu  !  man,  but  you 
have  grown  shorter  since  I  left." 

The  party  started  up  the  narrow  street,  Fron- 
tenac  and  Tonti  leading  the  way,  asking  and 
answering  all  manner  of  questions  relating  to 
the  King,  the  court,  and  the  army.  Behind 
them  walked  La  Salle  (bowing  now  and  then 
as  he  caught  sight  of  a  familiar  face  in  the 
crowd),  together  with  Barrois,  the  Governor's 
secretary,  and  Bizard,  lieutenant  of  his  guard ; 
Duchesneau,  after  responding  to  La  Salle's  greet 
ing  in  a  half-hearted  sort  of  way,  remaining  behind 


1 68  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

to  see  the  other  passengers  and  receive  whatever 
dispatches  the  ship  had  brought  from  the  King. 

The  city  was  divided  into  an  Upper  and  a 
Lower  Town,  the  former  occupied  by  the  Gov 
ernment  officials,  soldiers,  priests,  and  nuns,  while 
the  latter  (consisting  of  one  long  street  taking  up 
the  space  between  the  river's  edge  and  the  foot 
of  the  bluffs)  was  made  up  of  the  homes  of 
traders,  sailors,  and  a  few  Indians  and  fishermen. 
The  ascent  to  the  Upper  Town  was  made  by 
either  of  two  ways ;  the  first,  a  passage  with  steps 
cut  in  the  rock,  while  the  other,  over  which  the 
Governor  now  passed,  was  a  steep  street  lined 
with  houses.  As  they  walked  slowly  along,  the 
passers-by  saluted  the  Governor  with  deference, 
and  stopped  to  gaze  at  the  faces  of  the  strangers. 
A  little  beyond  the  Episcopal  Palace,  Frontenac 
paused  to  gain  his  breath  and  await  the  arrival 
of  the  others.  "A  long  climb,  hein,  mes  amies? 
Come  with  me  to  the  Chateau  ;  you  are  to  lodge 
beneath  my  official  roof." 

Bizard  and  the  secretary  withdrew,  and  the  rest 
proceeded  toward  the  left  across  the  Place  d'Armes 
and  soon  stood  in  front  of  the  Governor's  house. 
They  were  all  silent.  The  late  gleams  of  the 
sun  were  rapidly  disappearing,  and  as  they  stood 
the  long  twilight  of  this  Northern  latitude  passed 
slowly  into  night.  Afar,  the  opposite  shore  was 
dimly  visible  ;  beneath  lay  the  bay,  with  the  newly 


A  New  World  169 

arrived  ship  lying  quietly  at  anchor ;  while  two 
hundred  feet  below  them  the  chimneys  of  the 
Lower  Town,  on  which  one  could  almost  toss  a 
pebble,  gave  forth  their  smoke  as  the  evening 
meal  was  prepared.  A  few  lights  twinkled  in  the 
houses,  and  soon  multiplied.  The  song  of  the 
sailors  making  merry  at  the  taverns  with  their 
Norman  cider  and  wine  of  Gascony  rose  to  their 
ears  on  the  night  breeze.  All  three  were  lost  in 
thought,  and  as  each  gazed  upon  the  scene  before 
him,  removed  his  hat  as  though  in  reverence. 

At  seven  o'clock  La  Salle  and  Tonti  were 
ushered  into  the  apartment  designated  by  Fron- 
tenac  when  he  left  them.  The  walls  were  of  oak 
and  the  high  ceiling  showed  the  rafters  blackened 
by  the  smoke  that  poured  from  the  fireplace 
when  the  wind  came  from  the  northwest.  Above 
this  fireplace  were  hung  the  large,  branching 
antlers  of  a  moose,  used  as  a  hat-rack  by  the 
worthy  Comte.  A  number  of  pictures  brought 
from  France  were  decorated  with  strings  of  vari 
colored  wampum  entwined  about  their  frames, 
while  a  red  blanket  or  a  pair  of  moccasins  were 
attached  to  the  walls  here  and  there,  giving  a 
bright  touch  of  color  to  the  otherwise  gloomy 
interior.  The  swinging  cressets  that  furnished 
from  overhead  a  light  much  feebler  than  that 
emanating  from  the  blazing  logs,  showed  in  one 

O  O  o    J 

corner   an  old   tarnished  corselet  and  some  steel 


170  A    Rose  of  Normandy 

pikes,  while  in  another  a  massive  carved  desk  and 
chair  betrayed  the  official  character  of  the  room. 
In  the  centre  of  the  floor  carpeted  with  many 
skins  stood  a  heavy  table,  set  with  snow-white 
napery  and  polished  silver.  Three  high-backed 
chairs  denoted  the  number  of  the  expected  diners. 

While  warming  themselves  before  the  fire  (the 
autumn  nights  were  chilly  an  hour  after  the  sun 
went  down)  and  gazing  at  the  mixture  of  civiliza 
tion  and  barbarism  about  them,  Frontenac  entered 
the  room,  and  soon  all  were  engaged  with  hearty 
appetites  at  their  evening  meal.  They  talked 
freely  of  the  plans  for  the  fur-trade  that  La  Salle 
hoped  to  be  able  to  build  up.  Frontenac,  as  a 
sort  of  partner  in  the  enterprise,  offered  advice  and 
gave  his  views  frankly  on  all  subjects  discussed. 

After  the  last  course  was  finished  and  they  had 
seated  themselves  before  the  open  fire,  with  the 
fragrant  tobacco  smoke  wreathing  its  way  above 
their  heads,  La  Salle  turned  to  the  Governor  and 
asked  : 

"  And  now,  mon  ami,  that  we  have  told  you 
all  we  know  about  the  Old  World  and  its  court, 
how  fares  it  with  the  court  under  your  sway  ?  " 

"  Badly,"  was  the  reply,  as  Frontenac  relighted 
his  pipe  and  puffed  at  it  angrily. 

"  How  so  ? "  queried  Tonti.  "  Do  not  the 
wheels  of  the  machine  of  State  run  smoothly  and 
without  friction  ?  " 


A  New  World  171 

"Scarcely,"  was  the  reply,  and  the  Governor 
and  La  Salle  exchanged  an  amused  smile.  "  But 
listen,  and  I  will  tell  you.  The  Intendant  watches 
me  like  a  jealous  cat  and  does  what  he  can  to 
irritate  me.  He  sends  lying  reports  back  to  the 
King  and  Colbert;  says,  parbleu !  that  I  seek 
to  belittle  him  and  his  office ;  that  I  alter  the 
King's  commands  to  suit  my  own  purpose ;  that 
I  gain  untold  wealth  from  secret  understandings 
with  the  fur-traders  and  the  coureurs-de-bois.  As 
for  the  priests,  I  have  much  trouble  from  the 
Jesuits,  who  seem  to  have  the  Bishop  and  the 
Seminary  priests  completely  dependent  on  their 
wishes.  They,  too,  write  lengthy  accounts  of  my 
selling  brandy  to  the  Indians,  when  I  believe 
that  that  is  the  way  they  themselves  gain  their 
chief  support;  of  my  laxity  in  helping  them  pre 
serve  the  morals  of  the  town  from  harm  by  coun 
tenancing  too  much  the  balls  and  dances  the 
officers  and  their  wives  love  to  attend  ;  and  of 
permitting  the  performance  of  plays  other  than 
those  submitted  to  them  for  approval.  The 
Recollets,  however,  have,  as  always,  been  friendly 
to  me. 

"  In  spite  of  all,  the  colony  prospers,  the  town 
grows,  and  the  Indians  are  kept  in  check,  while 
the  people,  except  the  few  seeking  to  gain  the 
influence  of  the  Intendant  by  siding  against  me, 
are  contented.  All  this  could  not  be  brought 


172  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

about  by  such  an  incompetent  villain  as  they 
make  me  out  to  be,  hein  ?  " 

La  Salle  smiled  at  the  twinkle  in  his  patron's 
eye.  Frontenac  continued  earnestly  : 

"  I  will  say  by  our  holy  Sainte  Anne  of  Beau- 
pre  that  I  intend  that  they  all  shall  know  that  I 
stand  to  them  in  the  place  of  the  King,  and 
that  I  am  responsible  to  him  alone,  and  not 
to  every  cur  that  snarls  at  my  heels.  Dame! 
but  they  shall  learn  their  position  and  mine, 
and  accord  me  all  honor  becoming  me,  the 
Governor." 

A  knock  at  the  door  interrupted  him,  and  a 
servant  entered  to  announce  that  the  members  of 
the  Superior  Council  were  awaiting  the  Governor's 
pleasure  to  begin  the  business  of  the  meeting. 
Frontenac  had  called  for  the  reading  of  the  dis 
patches  that  had  arrived  on  the  "  Saint  Honore  " 
and  the  transaction  of  other  important  business. 
Tonti  and  La  Salle  accordingly  withdrew  and  the 
Governor  passed  to  the  Council  Chamber.  The 
relation  of  his  wrongs  to  his  friends  had  tended 
to  arouse  the  irritability  that  was  so  prominent  a 
characteristic  of  the  man.  On  entering  the  room 
a  cloud  gathered  on  his  brow,  as  he  saw  all  the 
members  of  the  Council  seated  about  a  large 
table  engaged  in  earnest  conversation.  No  one 
stirred  as  he  appeared,  and  it  was  only  after  his 
angry  look  that  they  seemed  to  recollect  his  posi- 


A  New  World  173 

tion  and  accordingly  arose,  some  of  them  reluc 
tantly  enough,  and  bowed,  remaining  standing 
until  he  had  taken  his  seat. 

"How  now,  Messieurs!"  he  exclaimed,  "do 
you  proceed  with  the  Council's  business  without 
waiting  for  its  chief  and  President  ?  "  Then  not 
pausing  for  a  reply,  he  seated  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  table,  having  the  Bishop  on  his  right  hand 
and  the  Intendant  on  his  left,  and  directed  them 
to  proceed  to  business. 

Duchesneau  accordingly  broke  the  seal  bearing 
the  royal  impression,  and  handed  it  to  the  secre 
tary  to  read.  All  listened  eagerly  to  learn  what 
messages  the  King  sent  to  the  chief  officers  of  his 
colony.  The  first  portion,  dealing  with  matters 
pertaining  to  the  State,  was  attended  to  with  a 
respectful  interest,  but  it  was  not  until  the  latter 
part  was  reached,  which  touched  upon  the  various 
disputes  between  Governor  and  Intendant  in  which 
each  member  of  the  Council  had  taken  sides,  that 
the  interest  became  intense. 

"  M.  le  Comte  de  Frontenac,"  read  the  secretary, 
"we  are  surprised  to  learn  all  the  new  troubles  and  dis 
sensions  that  have  occurred  in  our  country  of  New 
France,  more  especially  since  we  have  clearly  and  strongly 
given  you  to  understand  that  your  sole  care  should  be  to 
maintain  harmony  and  peace  among  all  our  subjects 
dwelling  therein.  We  have  examined  with  care  the 
contents  of  all  the  dispatches  which  you  have  written 


174  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

us  during  the  last  year;  and  as  the  matters  of  which 
they  treat  are  sufficiently  ample,  including  dissensions 
almost  universal  among  those  whose  duty  it  is  to  pre 
serve  harmony  in  the  country  under  your  command,  we 
have  weighed  both  sides  and  have  this  only  to  say  to 
you  :  Consider  well  that,  if  it  is  any  advantage  or  any 
satisfaction  to  you  that  we  should  be  satisfied  with 
your  services,  it  is  necessary  that  you  change  entirely 
the  conduct  which  you  have  hitherto  pursued." 

During  the  reading  Duchesneau's  face  gleamed 
with  pleasure,  while  that  portion  of  the  Council 
that  sided  with  him  (Auteuil  the  attorney-gen 
eral,  Villiray  and  Tilly)  exchanged  glances  of 
hearty  satisfaction.  Frontenac's  wrath  was  greatly 
augmented  at  this  public  rebuke  from  the  King, 
but  he  only  commanded  in  a  sharp  tone  that  the 
secretary  proceed  with  the  reading. 

"  As  for  you,  M.  PIntendant,  we  have  examined 
all  the  letters,  papers,  and  memorials  that  you  sent  us; 
and  though  it  appear  by  the  letters  of  M.  de  Frontenac 
that  his  conduct  leaves  something  to  be  desired,  there 
is  assuredly  far  more  to  blame  in  yours  than  in  his.  As 
to  what  you  say  concerning  his  violence,  his  trade  with 
the  Indians,  and  in  general  all  that  you  allege  against 
him,  we  have  written  him  a  warning  already.  But  since 
in  the  midst  of  your  complaints  you  say  many  things 
which  are  without  foundation,  or  which  are  no  concern 
of  yours,  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  you  act  in  the 
spirit  which  we  demand  ;  that  is  to  say,  without  interest 


A  New  World  175 

and  without  prejudice.  If  a  change  does  not  appear  in 
your  conduct  before  next  year,  we  shall  keep  you  no 
longer  in  office." 

It  was  now  the  turn  for  Frontenac  and  his 
adherents,  who  constituted  a  majority  of  the 
Council,  to  rejoice.  The  Governor  smiled 
scornfully  as  he  saw  the  color  mount  on  Duches- 
neau's  face  during  the  reading  of  this  sharp 
reproof. 

The  next  business  taken  up  was  the  reading 
of  the  draft  of  a  resolution  passed  at  the  previous 
meeting  of  the  Council,  which  had  been  made 
out  in  terms  agreeable  to  the  Governor. 

"  See  that  it  be  writ  well  and  fair  upon  the 
records,"  said  Frontenac.  Then  turning  to 
Duchesneau,  he  continued:  "If  M.  1'Intendant's 
hand  is  steady  enough,  he  can  sign  it  now." 

Duchesneau  still  smarting  under  the  King's 
message,  and  disliking  the  tone  of  the  Governor, 
which  amounted  to  a  command,  replied  : 

"  If  the  Council  permit,  I  and  the  secretary 
will  withdraw  into  the  adjoining  room  where  we 
can  examine  it  in  peace  and  enter  it  in  proper 
form." 

Frontenac  blazed  up  at  once.  "  And  keep 
the  Governor  and  the  Council  waiting  ?  Ma  foi ! 
since  when  have  we  attended  on  your  pleasure  ? 
Dame!  sign  it  at  once,  I  would  have  no  se- 


176  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

curity  that  the  resolution  would  be  accurately 
transcribed,  did  I  not  see  it  signed  in  my 
presence." 

Stung  to  the  quick,  Duchesneau  arose,  and 
motioning  to  the  secretary  to  follow  him,  seized 
the  draft  in  his  hand  and  made  for  the  door. 
The  Governor,  thunder-struck  at  his  resistance, 
planted  himself  firmly  before  it  and  exclaimed 
passionately  : 

"Mordioux!  you  shall  not  leave  the  Council 
Chamber  until  you  have  signed  the  paper. 
After  that  I  care  not  when  you  leave,  nor  how 
long  you  remain  away,  either." 

"Then  I  shall  get  out  of  the  window,  or  else 
stay  here  all  night,"  retorted  the  Intendant  ob 
stinately. 

"  Peace,  M.  le  Gouverneur,  and  you,  M.  Fln- 
tendant,"  said  the  Bishop,  who,  although  antag 
onistic  to  Frontenac,  saw  that  Duchesneau  had 
gone  too  far,  "  accede  to  his  reasonable  request." 

The  Intendant  looked  about  him  sullenly,  then 
approaching  the  table,  signed  the  document,  and 
turned  to  the  Governor  defiantly :  "  I  withdraw 
my  opposition;"  next  addressing  the  Council, 
"  I  crave  leave,  Messieurs.,  to  read  this  commu 
nication  that  was  handed  me  before  entering." 

So  saying,  he  read  a  petition  from  one  of  the 
members  of  the  Council,  D'Amours  by  name, 
whose  chair  was  vacant.  It  stated  that  Fron- 


A  New  World  177 

tenac  had  put  him  in  prison,  because,  having 
obtained  in  due  form  a  passport  to  send  a  canoe 
to  his  fishing-station  at  Matane,  he  had  after 
wards  sent  a  sail-boat  thither  without  applying 
for  another  passport.  The  Governor  had  sent 
for  him  and  demanded  by  what  right  he  did  so. 
D' Amours  replied  that  he  believed  he  had  acted 
in  accordance  with  the  intention  of  the  King  ; 
whereupon  "  M.  le  Gouverneur  fell  into  a  rage 
and  said  to  your  petitioner,  '  I  will  teach  you  the 
intentions  of  the  King ;  and  you  shall  stay  in 
prison  till  you  learn  them  ; '  and  your  petitioner 
was  shut  up  in  a  chamber  of  the  Chateau,  wherein 
he  still  remains  and  prays  the  honorable  Council 
that  a  trial  be  granted  him  according  to  law." 

Duchesneau  glanced  vindictively  at  the  Gov 
ernor  whilst  reading  the  petition,  well  knowing 
that  it  would  act  as  a  bomb-shell  among  the 
members  of  the  Council.  He  had  no  sooner 
finished  than  everything  was  in  an  uproar. 

The  partisans  of  Duchesneau  were  on  their 
feet  loudly  clamoring  for  the  release  of  their 
absent  member,  whilst  others,  friendly  to  the 
Governor,  vainly  strove  to  pacify  them  in  order 
to  gain  a  hearing  for  him.  The  confusion  in 
creased,  ink  was  spilled,  documents  tossed  from 
the  table,  fists  were  raised  in  air,  and  faces  dis 
torted  with  passion.  Above  the  din  the  voices 

of  Auteuil,  Tilly,  and  Villiray  were  heard  loudly 

12 


178  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

calling  for  justice,  saying  that  their  own  personal 
liberty  was  in  danger  and  that  they  would  fight 
against  such  tyranny. 

Frontenac  had  risen  with  such  violence  as  to 
send  the  high-backed  chair  crashing  over  on 
the  floor.  He  stood  defiantly  facing  the  angry 
Councillors.  His  anger  choked  him,  his  face 
and  neck  were  purple  with  rage;  the  veins  on 
his  forehead  stood  out  like  great  cords  ;  his  eyes 
streamed  fire.  At  length  he  found  utterance  in 
speech  as  he  heard  the  cries  for  justice  and  the 
words  against  tyranny.  Striking  with  his  huge 
fist  upon  the  table,  he  bellowed  "  Silence  !  "  and 
when  he  could  be  heard,  continued  : 

"Ye  dolts  and  rebels  that  cry  forth  for  justice 
and  threaten  to  raise  arms  against  a  tyrant,  hear 
me !  Know  ye  not  that  I  am  Governor,  that  in 
my  person  stands  the  King?  If  I  have  done 
aught  amiss,  I  am  answerable  to  him.  You 
clamor  against  my  enforcements  of  the  law. 
What  would  you?  That  I  overlook  its  infringe 
ment  and  thus  give  seeming  ground  for  more 
lying  letters  and  infamous  reports  ?  Were  I  to 
gloss  over  the  transgressions  of  the  law  like  you, 
M.  1'Intendant,  with  your  illicit  brandy-trade, 
your  connivance  with  coureurs-de-bois  and  fur- 
traders,  the  King  would  have  anarchy  throughout 
his  colony  instead  of  law  and  order.  The  case  is 
plain.  M.  D'Amours  admits  the  commission  of 


A  New  World  179 

his  fault,  but  claims  the  right  of  private  interpre 
tation  of  the  King's  commands.  That  right  I 
deny.  Were  I  to  allow  law-breaking  in  high 
places  to  go  unpunished,  in  six  months  who 
would  be  found  in  all  the  colony  who  would  not 
point  to  these  as  precedents,  and  excuse  them 
selves  ?  As  for  you  who  seek  to  fight  a  tyrant, 
know  well  with  whom  you  have  to  deal."  Then 
leaning  over,  he  whispered  low  to  his  secretary, 
who  hastily  wrote  at  his  dictation.  When  he 
had  finished  he  quickly  signed  his  name,  and 
calling  to  a  soldier  standing  guard  outside  the 
door,  handed  the  paper  to  him,  saying: 

"  Lieutenant  Bizard,  here  is  an  order  of  banish 
ment  from  Quebec  for  Messieurs  Tilly,  Auteuil, 
and  Villiray  ;  they  are  to  retire  to  their  country 
homes  and  remain  there,  awaiting  my  commands. 
See  that  this  order  is  obeyed ; "  and  stamping  out 
of  the  room,  he  was  gone. 


Chapter   Twelve 


DEVOTED  TO  SECRET  SERVICE,  SHOWING 
THAT  WALLS  AND  OTHER  INANIMATE  OB 
JECTS  OFTEN  HAVE  EARS 

THE   scenes  of  anger  and   violence   were 
over.     The  exiled    Councillors  had   re 
tired  to  their  homes  on  parole  that  they 
would    leave    Quebec    the    next    morning.     The 
inhabitants  of  the   Chateau  were  all   asleep,  and 
the  entire  citadel  was  again  at  peace. 

A  sentinel  pacing  his  weary  watch  upon  the 
rampart  was  the  only  living  thing  visible  in  the 
moonlight,  while  the  barking  of  a  solitary  dog  in 
the  Lower  Town  and  the  distant  howl  of  a  hungry 
wolf  from  the  direction  of  Beaupre  were  the  only 
sounds  apparently  that  broke  the  silence  of  a 
continent. 

It  was  already  after  midnight,  and  the  guard 
had  been  changed,  when  a  keen  eye  might  have 
seen  a  dark  figure  pass  silently  along  within  the 
shade  of  the  barracks,  the  guard-room,  and  the 
Chateau  itself,  until  it  finally  was  merged  in 
the  deep  shadow  of  the  magazine  at  the  extreme 

1 80 


Secret  Service  181 

end  of  the  fort.  Soon  after  another  form  ap 
peared,  gliding  by  the  same  route  to  a  common 
rendezvous.  Within  the  shelter  of  the  building 
they  stood  and  conversed  in  low  tones,  while 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  some  one  else.  At  length 
a  third  muffled  figure  joined  them,  and  asked  in 
an  authoritative  voice : 

"  Are  we  all  here  ?  " 

"Yes,  M.  1'Intendant,  and  waiting,"  spoke  up 
one  of  the  group  rather  testily,  as  he  shivered 
with  the  cold  and  drew  his  cloak  closer  about  his 
shoulders. 

"  Pardon  my  delay,  Monsieur  I'Eveque,"  re 
plied  Duchesneau,  "  but  I  was  merely  taking  the 
necessary  precautions.  I  gave  orders  to  have  an 
extra  amount  of  liquor  served  to  the  soldiers  in 
the  guard-room  to-night,  and  delayed  my  coming 
until  I  had  made  sure  that  yonder  sentinel  re 
ceived  his  double  allowance  before  his  turn  came. 
He  is  too  happy  now  to  watch  the  shadows  very 
closely :  listen,  you  can  hear  him  singing  to 
himself/' 

"  But  are  you  sure  we  are  entirely  secure 
here  ?  "  spoke  up  the  third  member  of  the  group, 
who  looked  uneasily  about  him. 

"  Certainement  I  "  Duchesneau  replied,  with  a 
slight  touch  of  scorn  in  his  tones,  "unless  the 
obscurity  about  us  or  yonder  log  have  ears.  But 
to  the  business  we  have  come  for."  Then  turn- 


182  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

ing  to  the  first  speaker  again,  he  went  on.  "  Your 
letter  to  M.  le  Ministre,  Monsieur  1'Eveque, 
did  not  seem  to  have  much  weight,  for  the  Sieur 
de  la  Salle  has  come  in  spite  of  your  efforts." 

"True,  M.  1'Intendant,"  was  the  reply,  "but 
it  seems  that  he  managed  to  gain  the  ear  of  the 
King  first.  Listen  while  I  give  to  you  the  words 
of  his  reply  ;  "  and  he  repeated  from  memory  the 
secret  letter  of  Colbert's. 

There  was  a  silence  of  a  moment.  Duches- 
neau,  still  smarting  after  the  defeat  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  exclaimed  with  a  muttered  oath  : 

"  Our  plans  go  wrong  at  every  point,  despite 
our  efforts."  Then  stamping  his  foot  angrily, 
"Man  Dieu !  the  Governor's  power  increases 
daily.  The  success  of  the  expedition  of  La  Salle 
will  redound  to  his  glory  and  make  him  more 
arrogant  and  insufferable  than  ever." 

"The  Church,  too,  will  lose  the  many  tribes 
awaiting  her  coming,  and  they  their  souls  through 
contamination  with  the  shameless,  lawless  followers 
of  this  man,"  was  the  pious  exclamation  of  him 
who  had  been  addressed  as  "  Monsieur  1'Eveque." 

"And  our  fur  supply  cut  off  and  the  trade  de 
stroyed,"  wailed  the  third. 

"  His  efforts  must  be  frustrated,"  resumed 
Duchesneau,  who  had  suddenly  conceived  a  plan, 
"but  each  of  you  must  do  his  share." 

"  I  shall  send  a  trusty  member  of  the  Order 


Secret  Service  183 

with  La  Salle  who  will  warn  the  Indians  against 
him,"  the  holy  man  exclaimed. 

"  And  I  shall  see  that  among  his  men  there 
shall  be  a  sufficient  number  devoted  to  our  inter 
est  to  cause  his  failure,  perhaps  instigate  a  mutiny 
at  the  proper  moment ;  he  may  never  come  back," 
was  the  significant  rejoinder  of  the  third  con 
spirator. 

"  But  remember,  no  violence,"  cried  the  priest 
in  alarm. 

The  priest,  who  was  none  other  than  Laval, 
Bishop  of  Quebec,  feeling  that  the  lateness  of  the 
hour,  the  secret  meeting,  and  the  lonely  place 
were  not  befitting  the  dignity  of  his  position,  grew 
impatient  and  interposed. 

"It  grows  late,"  he  said,  "and  I  have  a  vigil 
to  keep  before  sunrise.  I  must  be  gone.  Our 
plans  are  formed ;  let  each  supply  the  details  of 
his  part ; "  and  muffling  up  his  face,  he  disap 
peared  around  the  corner  of  the  magazine. 

Duchesneau  waited  until  he  was  sure  of  the 
Bishop's  departure,  then  muttered  after  his  retreat 
ing  figure :  "  No  violence,  Monsieur  1'Eveque, 
but  if  La  Salle  should  have  trouble  with  the 
savages  and  an  arrow  or  bullet  find  its  way  into 
his  carcass,  we  should  not  be  to  blame." 

"  But  how  will  you  secure  M.  Tonti?"  asked 
his  companion.  "He  is  devoted  to  La  Salle  and 
cannot  be  bought." 


184  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  With  gold,  no.  But  what  always  succeeds 
when  money  fails  ?  " 

"  You  mean  - —  " 

"  Yes,  a  woman." 

"But  who?" 

"  Leave  that  to  me ;  that  is  my  affair.  See 
that  you  do  your  duty.  Son  soir  !  Be  ready  to 
meet  me  again  at  any  time." 

So  saying,  the  Intendant  took  his  way  home 
ward.  A  moment  later  the  spot  was  de 
serted. 

The  moon  sank  slowly  towards  her  goal ;  the 
witchery  of  her  light  enveloped  all  the  earth, 
making  of  it  a  strange,  weird  world.  And,  as 
though  in  keeping  with  the  uncanny  hour  and 
place,  behold  a  miracle  !  for  soon  after  the  depart 
ure  of  the  last  member  of  the  midnight  council, 
the  log  lying  within  two  paces  of  the  spot  where 
stood  the  three  intriguers  moved,  stirred,  arose, 
and,  stretching  arms  and  cramped  legs,  stole 
quietly  away,  muttering :  "  The  night  time  is  a 
cloak  for  sinners.  Mon  Dieu !  many  enemies, 
much  honor." 

Day  was  stealing  in  at  the  windows  of  the 
Chateau  when  Tonti  was  aroused  by  a  slight 
touch  on  the  forehead,  and,  opening  his  eyes,  was 
for  the  moment  startled  at  the  strangeness  of  his 
surroundings.  He  soon  perceived  through  the 
gray  light  the  figure  of  Pompon  standing  beside 


Secret  Service  185 

his  bed,  waiting  silently  until  he  should  become 
thoroughly  awakened. 

"Pardieu!  mon  cher  Pompon,  and  how  did 
you  get  in  ?  "  he  exclaimed,  rubbing  his  eyes  and 
sitting  up.  Pompon  pointed  to  an  open  window 
at  the  other  side  of  the  room.  "  He  who  sleeps 
catches  no  fish ;  "  and  drawing  up  a  chair,  seated 
himself  beside  the  bed. 

"  For  your  part,  you  have  evidently  been  fish 
ing  all  night  to  judge  by  the  dirt  and  disorder  of 
your  clothes.  But  what  news  do  you  bring  ?  for 
there  must  be  something  important  on  your 
mind.  One  does  not  usually  climb  in  at  win 
dows  at  dawn  simply  to  say  '  Eon  jour  I ' 

"  You  are  right.  I  have  important  news  and 
such  that  you  must  know  quickly.  If  your 
brain  is  sufficiently  cleared  to  listen  and  under 
stand,  I  will  relate  rapidly  what  I  have  done  and 
learned  since  we  landed  yesterday." 

"  Begin,"  said  Tonti,  as  he  settled  back  into  a 
comfortable  position. 

"  To  show  you  I  have  not  been  idle,  I  will 
start  at  the  moment  when  we  stepped  ashore. 
Just  after  whispering  to  you  to  leave  me  to  my 
own  devices,  I  slipped  through  the  crowd  while 
you  were  being  welcomed  by  the  Governor.  I 
was  anxious  not  to  be  recognized  as  belonging  to 
the  party  of  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  so  I  found  my 
way  to  the  tavern  of  Jacques  Boisdon,  on  the 


1 86  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

square  near  the  church,  a  place  recommended  to 
me  by  one  of  the  sailors  as  the  centre  of  all  the 
social,  religious,  and  political  intrigue  in  Quebec. 
I  secured  my  lodging  and  soon  made  friends 
with  Marie,  daughter  of  the  tavern-keeper,  whom 
I  found  to  be  pretty  and  with  a  tongue  that 
never  ceases  its  chatter.  She  is  evidently  weary 
of  her  male  admirers  of  the  place,  and  found  a 
stranger  fresh  from  Paris  a  being  to  wonder  at, 
admire,  and  one  to  whom  she  could  tell  all  she 
knew  of  the  city  and  its  people." 

A  subdued  chuckle  came  from  Tonti,  as  he 
said : 

"  Peste  !  Pompon,  how  the  air  of  the  country 
changes  one.  You  leave  France  a  hater  of  all 
womankind,  and  an  hour  after  you  arrive  here 
you  are  at  the  feet  of  the  first  fair  charmer  you 
meet." 

"In  all  undertakings  it  is  necessary  to  consider 
the  end.  I  had  a  part  to  play.  Tell  a  woman 
she  is  handsome  and  you  will  turn  her  head ;  tell 
her  she  is  wondrous  fair  and  she  will  soon  turn 
fool  and  tell  you  all  she  knows.  This  one  knew 
much  and  has  told  me  everything.  I  have 
learned  who  and  where  our  enemies  are.  The 
situation  is  like  this  :  Two  distinct  parties  exist, 
the  one  headed  by  the  Governor,  and  consisting 
of  Barrois,  his  secretary,  and  Bizard,  lieutenant 
of  his  guard,  Du  Lhut,  leader  of  the  coureurs-de- 


Secret  Service  187 

isy  the  Recollet  monks,  and  La  Salle,  together 
with  a  majority  of  the  Council  and  most  of  the 
common  people;  the  other,  headed  by  the  In- 
tendant  Duchesneau,  consists  of  a  few  members 
of  the  Council,  Le  Moyne  and  his  sons,  Jacques 
Le  Ber,  and  several  other  fur-merchants,  the 
Bishop  Laval,  together  with  all  the  Order  of  the 
Jesuits.  The  quarrel  between  the  two  leaders  is 
one  due  to  their  official  positions :  the  Intendant 
is  jealous  of  the  powers  granted  to  the  Governor 
and  writes  continually  complaints  of  his  actions ; 
the  Governor  in  turn  is  jealous  of  the  Intendant, 
regarding  him  as  a  spy  upon  his  movements. 
Then,  too,  Frontenac  is  in  secret  sympathy  with 
the  outlawed  coureurs-de-bois^  and  is  lax  in  his 
efforts  to  apprehend  and  punish  them.  He  has 
an  eye  to  the  profits  they  make  in  trade,  and 
undoubtedly  shares  in  them." 

"  Cos-petto  I  "  cried  Tonti,  "  how  much  you 
have  learned  in  so  short  a  time." 

"  There  is  more  to  tell  yet,"  continued  Pom 
pon.  "  Duchesneau  in  turn  is  interested  in  the 
profits  of  a  certain  group  of  traders  here  and 
at  Montreal,  of  whom  Jacques  Le  Ber  is  at  the 
head  ;  hence  an  additional  reason  for  his  hatred 
of  the  Governor  and  the  desire  to  thwart  his 
plans.  The  Jesuits  look  with  disfavor  on  the 
exploration  plans  of  Frontenac  and  La  Salle, 
claiming  that  they  would  mean  the  ruin  of  the 


1 88  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Indian  tribes  they  wish  to  convert,  and  whom 
they  claim  are  supplied  with  brandy  by  the  Gov 
ernor's  friends,  the  coureurs-de-bois.  Frontenac 
has  reason  to  believe  that  they  have  an  eye  to 
the  fur-trade  themselves,  and  that  it  is  the  beaver 
skins  and  not  the  heathen  souls  that  they  fear  to 
lose.  He  claims,  too,  that  he  has  proof  of  their 
selling  brandy  also.  They  are  bitter  likewise  at 
the  evident  favor  shown  by  the  Governor  to  the 
Recollet  friars." 

"  Sangue  di  Dio  !  "  burst  forth  Tonti,  "  what  a 
sea  of  hot  water  the  Comte's  patronage  will 
throw  us  into.  The  clergy,  the  Intendantand  his 
faction,  and  a  lot  of  rascally  traders.  You  have 
indeed  done  well  to  learn  all  this  in  time." 

"  Truly,"  responded  Pompon,  "  a  man  warned 
is  half  saved.  Our  enemies  will  do  all  they  can 
to  hinder  our  success.  Listen.  After  making 
love  to  the  pretty  Marie,  about  ten  o'clock,  as 
I  was  lying  on  one  of  the  benches  at  the  tavern 
thinking  over  all  that  had  been  told  me,  a  man 
entered  the  room,  which  was  empty  save  for  my 
self,  and  after  looking  about  carefully  and  seeing 
only  me,  asleep  and  snoring,  with  an  empty  glass 
near  me  on  the  table,  he  sat  down  as  though 
awaiting  some  one.  All  are  not  asleep  who  have 
their  eyes  shut,  however,  so  although  I  continued 
with  my  drunken  snores,  my  ears  were  open. 
Soon  another  man  entered  and  they  commenced 


Secret  Service  189 

a  conversation  of  seeming  serious  import.  I 
caught  the  words  e  magazine,'  '  midnight,'  (  Mon 
sieur  1'Eveque,'  before  they  left.  I  was  awake  in 
an  instant.  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  be  present  at  any 
midnight  meeting  the  Bishop  might  have,  for 
fear  his  morals  might  become  corrupted.  Poor 
man,  the  saintly  fanatic  is  merely  the  Jesuits' 
tool.  I  bear  him  no  malice,  for  he  intends  no 
wrong.  Making  my  way  to  the  spot  an  hour 
before  the  time  appointed,  I  rolled  myself  in  a 
cloak,  and,  lying  on  the  ground,  I  threw  a  lot  of 
dried  leaves  and  earth  over  me,  hoping  to  escape 
detection.  I  was  almost  discovered,  however. 
At  midnight  three  men  came,  whom  I -learned 
from  their  conversation  were  the  Intendant  —  " 

"  Ventre-saint-gris  I  "  exclaimed  Tonti  in  as 
tonishment. 

"  Laval,  Bishop  of  Quebec." 

"And  —  " 

"  And  Jacques  le  Ber,  the  fur-trader  from 
Montreal." 

"  Come  du  diable  I  Our  worst  enemies  !  What 
did  they  say  ?  " 

"They  vow  vengeance  on  Frontenac  and  in 
tend  to  strike  at  him  through  La  Salle." 

Pompon  then  related  the  details  of  the  plans 
he  had  overheard.  Tonti  laughed  heartily. 
"  Pestel  "  said  he,  "but  the  game  is  a  pretty  one. 
So  a  woman  is  to  win  my  favor  and  make  a  traitor 


190  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

of  me?  Parbleu  !  there  is  one  woman,"  he  mur 
mured,  "  but  — per  Dio  !  not  even  for  my  Rose 
would  I  be  false  to  a  trust." 

<c  I  spent  the  rest  of  the  night,"  continued 
Pompon,  "  walking  up  and  down  along  the  edge 
of  the  river  seeking  a  plan  by  which  to  foil  their 
purpose  ;  I  have  not  formed  one  yet,  so  we  must 
simply  watch  for  the  next  move  of  the  enemy.  I 
must  return,  as  it  is  now  full  day  and  some  early 
riser  might  not  understand  my  leaving  by  a  win 
dow.  Tell  La  Salle  as  much  of  the  matter  as 
you  think  best.  For  my  part,  I  believe  he  had 
best  remain  ignorant;  we  can  help  him  better 
so."  And  with  this  word  Pompon  put  his  leg 
over  the  window-sill  and  dropped  lightly  to  the 
ground. 


Chapter  Thirteen 

DEVOTED   TO   CUPID   AND    HIS   ARCHERY 
PRACTICE 

BRIGHT  and  crisp  dawned  the  autumn 
day.  Sounds  of  unusual  excitement  in 
the  Lower  Town  greeted  the  ears  of  the 
two  comrades  as  they  started  out  from  the 
Chateau  in  search  of  Frontenac.  They  met 
him  in  front  of  the  Cathedral,  in  company  with 
a  young  woman  dressed  as  near  the  Paris  fashion 
of  the  previous  year  as  the  exigencies  of  the 
climate  and  place  permitted.  The  Governor 
hailed  them  with  a  hearty  "  Bon  jour.  Messieurs  ! 
How  has  your  first  night  in  the  wilderness 
passed?"  Then  turning  to  his  companion,  he 
presented  her  as  the  wife  of  the  always  faithful 
Lieutenant  Bizard  of  his  guard.  "  I  will  leave 
you,  M.  le  Capitaine  Tonti,  to  the  tender  mercies 
of  my  fair  lieutenantess,  who  will  show  you  the 
bewildering  novelty  of  the  marriage  market  this 
morning.  Take  good  care  of  him,  Madame,  and 
do  not  let  the  bright  eyes  of  one  of  his  ship-com 
panions  capture  him  and  deprive  us  of  his  estim 
able  assistance.  If  you  will  accompany  me  back 

191 


192  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

to  the  Chateau,  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  I  have  somewhat 
to  discuss  with  you  ;  "  and  with  a  lift  of  the  hat 
and  a  wave  of  his  hand,  he  left  Tonti  and  his  new 
acquaintance  together. 

As  the  young  man  turned  with  a  smile  to 
speak  to  his  companion  he  beheld  a  graceful 
figure  whose  every  adornment  bespoke  a  care 
and  taste  that  could  have  been  learnt  only  in 
Paris ;  a  pretty  face,  small  and  well  rounded, 
whose  cheeks  glowed  with  the  brisk  air  of  the 
morning ;  a  pair  of  gray-blue  eyes  that  drooped 
coquettishly  beneath  their  long  lashes  as  his 
glance  met  hers. 

Lieutenant  Bizard  had  been  of  that  celebrated 
regiment  of  Carignan-Salieres  that  was  ordered 
home  in  1668  by  the  King,  but  a  portion  of 
which  had  been  sent  back  to  New  France  two 
years  later.  He  had  had  time,  however,  during 
this  stay  in  France  to  woo  the  comely  daughter 
of  a  Parisian  shopkeeper  who,  woman-like,  cap 
tivated  by  the  lace  and  buttons  of  the  soldier, 
her  feminine  pride  tickled  by  the  evident  envy  of 
her  associates  as  she  walked  about  with  him,  had 
determined  to  cast  in  her  lot  across  the  sea  with 
her  stalwart  lover,  dreaming  of  conquests  and  ad 
vancements  for  him  until  she  beheld  in  his  bluff 
face  the  features  of  a  future  colonial  Turenne. 
A  year  of  the  social  life  at  Quebec  amidst  her 
primitive  surroundings  had  dissolved  these  dreams 


Cupid  and  his  Archery  193 

and  left  her  a  disappointed,  unhappy  woman,  an 
arrant  flirt,  whose  food  and  air  were  admiration 
and  attention,  loving  excitement  and  a  touch  of 
danger  in  everything.  She  had  thus  easily  be 
come  a  ready  aid  to  Duchesneau  in  his  intrigues. 
At  an  early  interview  that  morning  she  had  re 
ceived  her  instructions  from  him  and  had  set  out 
upon  her  task  with  a  light  heart,  as  the  playing 
of  a  game  with  a  young,  handsome  cavalier,  fresh 
from  Paris  and  the  court,  was  far  from  repugnant 
to  her. 

"  If  M.  le  Capitaine  Tonti  will  permit,"  she 
said  demurely,  "  I  believe  I  can  find  him  enter 
tainment  for  the  morning  that  will  show  that  we 
are  not  all  savages  here." 

"  Par  Dieu !  Madame,"  exclaimed  Tonti  gal 
lantly,  "  I  can  well  believe  that.  The  sight  of 
your  person  has  already  proved  to  me  that 
beauty,  wit,  and  youth  are  to  be  found  the 
whole  world  over." 

"Fie!  M.  Deceiver,"  was  the  blushing  re 
sponse,  "seek  not  to  try  the  flatteries  of  Versailles 
on  us  poor  artless  exiled  creatures.  Have  mercy 
on  our  helplessness,  lest  we  succumb."  Then 
with  a  tender,  half-audible  sigh  she  turned  away. 
"  Come,"  said  she,  "to  the  Place  d'Armes  and  I 
will  show  you  how  marriages  are  arranged  in  a 
new  country." 

Together  they  approached  the  square,  his  fair 
'3 


1 94  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

guide  pointing  out  the  various  buildings  to  Tonti, 
together  with  the  distant  spires  of  the  Jesuit 
Church  and  the  Hotel  Dieu.  A  din  as  of  many 
voices  greeted  their  ears  as  they  entered  the  en 
closure.  They  found  the  Place  filled  with  a 
crowd  of  interested  and  curious  spectators.  Sol 
diers  off  duty,  citizens,  with  their  sleeves  rolled 
up,  stopping  in  their  work  to  witness  the  annual 
sight;  good  dames  with  their  knitting  in  their 
hands,  and  their  children,  toddling  along  beside 
them,  holding  fast  to  the  folds  of  their  skirts ; 
here  and  there  an  officer's  wife  with  her  escort  — 
all  mingling  in  a  good-natured  confusion. 

"  It  is  early  yet,"  explained  Madame  Bizard  to 
Tonti,  as  they  wended  their  way  slowly  through 
the  crowd.  "The  market  does  not  begin  for  a 
half-hour  yet.  Meanwhile  let  us  work  our  way 
toward  the  opposite  side  of  the  square  where  the 
crowd  is  thickest ;  there  we  will  find  the  anxious 
swains  sighing  for  the  appearance  of  their  future 
wives." 

They  finally  reached  a  position  where  they 
could  see  and  hear  all  that  went  on.  Before  them 
were  congregated  some  hundred  or  more  men, 
most  of  them  of  the  peasant  class  from  the  neigh 
boring  farms  and  seigniories,  clad  in  their  holiday 
garb,  while  the  clothes,  made  of  skins  and  caps 
of  fur,  betrayed  a  few  of  the  hardy  pioneers  who 
ventured  to  the  further  limits  of  the  settlement 


Cupid  and  his  Archery  195 

to  rear  their  cabins  and  set  their  traps.  They 
exchanged  greetings  with  one  another,  laughing 
and  joking  noisily,  while  pipesful  of  tobacco  and 
drams  of  brandy  changed  ownership  in  friendly 
barter  or  social  comity.  Through  it  all,  however, 
each  kept  an  anxious  eye  out  towards  the  side  of 
the  square  from  which  the  procession  of  "  King's 
girls  "  would  approach. 

"  They  all  seem  eager  for  the  fearful  fate  before 
them,"  laughed  Tonti. 

"  True,"  was  the  reply,  that  had  a  touch  of 
bitterness  in  it,  "  but  if  you  pity  the  men,  I  pity 
the  unfortunate  girls  more,  doomed  as  they  are 
to  a  life  of  servitude  and  labor  with  a  man  they 
have  never  seen  before,  and  whom  they  will 
probably  wish  within  a  month  that  they  had  never 
met.  Still,  as  you  know,  they  are  all  bourgeoisie 
who  are  accustomed  to  nothing  better  than  hard 
service  and  abuse.  It  is  their  King's  command 
that  they  shall  marry,  and  they  obey.  We  sol 
dier-folk,  however,  although  the  King  makes  us 
marry  too,  have  a  Parisian  saying  that  we  bear 
in  mind." 

"What  is  that?"  was  Tonti's  query. 

"  Keep  your  eyes  wide  open  before  marriage 
and  half  shut  after,"  was  the  saucy  rejoinder. 

Just  then  the  sound  of  a  bell  was  heard,  and 
the  increased  confusion  of  the  crowd  interrupted 
Tonti's  reply.  From  the  Convent  of  the  Ursu- 


196  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

lines,  where  they  had  passed  the  night,  issued  the 
procession  of  thirty  girls  with  Madame  Bourdon 
at  their  head,  who  had  come  over  in  the  "  Saint 
Honore  "  with  La  Salle  and  Tonti.  Two  by  two 
they  marched  with  clasped  hands.  The  suitors 
ceased  suddenly  their  clamor,  and  quickly  formed 
a  lane,  down  which  the  maidens  passed,  watching 
with  furtive  glances  the  faces  of  their  future  hus 
bands.  These  in  turn  strove  to  make  their  choice 
at  a  glance,  and  some,  leaning  toward  the  moving 
damsels,  whispered  :  "  Wait  for  me,  Jean  Bedu.  I 
have  three  rooms  in  my  house,  and  twenty  arpents 
of  land  all  cleared."  Or,  "Take  none  but  me;  I 
am  your  Pierre,  and  live  but  one  and  a  half 
leagues  from  Quebec.  You  will  be  safe  from  the 
Indians  with  me."  Or  again,  "  Delay  your  choice, 
ma  -petite^  for  me,  the  tallest,  strongest  of  them  all. 
I  can  drink  a  pint  of  raw  brandy  and  never  show 
it,  or  throw  a  half-grown  buck  with  ease,  and  can 
get  more  furs  in  a  month  than  the  rest  in  a 
season.  You  will  make  no  mistake,  I  am  a  bon 
gar  $  on." 

Tonti  and  his  companion  were  in  an  excellent 
position  to  enjoy  the  scene.  "  Here  they  come, 
the  future  mothers  of  New  France,"  were  the 
mocking  words  he  heard.  "Take  care  lest  M. 
le  Comte  does  not  lose  you  in  the  sea  of 
matrimony." 

"  No  fear,"  replied  Tonti.     "  You  see  I  have 


Cupid  and  his  Archery  197 

no  chance  ;  there  are  but  thirty  wives  to  be,  while 
there  are  four  times  as  many  wooers.  Besides, 
we  are  farther  off  than  they  ;  all  the  best  maids 
would  be  taken  before  I  could  reach  them." 

"  True,"  murmured  Madame  Bizard,  "  you 
would  deserve  only  the  best."  Then  in  a  lower 
tone  she  added,  as  she  gently  touched  his  hand 
hanging  at  his  side,  "  We  can  probably  find  one 
to  your  taste  and  more  to  your  deserts  in  Quebec 
itself." 

The  contact  of  the  warm  hand  that  lingered 
against  his  own  thrilled  the  young  man,  and  he 
was  about  to  turn  to  his  companion  when  his 
other  sleeve  was  plucked,  and  a  voice  muttered 
in  his  ear,  "  Beware ! "  and  looking  over  his 
shoulder  he  beheld  the  form  of  Pompon,  who 
looked  at  him  earnestly,  and  then,  with  a  signifi 
cant  glance  at  the  young  woman  beside  him,  dis 
appeared  in  the  crowd. 

Tonti  recalled  with  a  start  all  that  Pompon 
had  told  him  at  daybreak,  and  realized  that 
the  enemy  was  at  work  and  that  he  had  his 
part  to  play  in  the  game  too,  so  with  an  admiring 
glance  he  whispered  :  "  I  fear  all  such  are  taken." 

A  square  space  was  marked  out  upon  the 
surface  of  the  Place  by  a  succession  of  hewn  logs, 
laid  end  to  end.  Within  this  inclosure  only  the 
prospective  wives  and  eager  swains  were  admitted. 
Then  ensued  a  scene  of  merriment  and  interest 


1 98  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

for  the  on-lookers.  One  ill-favored  suitor,  select 
ing  from  choice  the  least  attractive  of  the  young 
women,  partly  because  he  knew  he  would  have 
little  chance  among  the  fairer  ones,  partly  because 
he  felt  there  would  be  less  trouble  with  her  from 
other  men  after  marriage,  hurried  off  toward  the 
church  of  the  Recollets,  within  which  a  number 
of  priests  were  awaiting  the  happy  couples,  while 
a  notary  sat  at  the  door  ready  to  do  a  thriving 
business.  One  particularly  desirable  lass,  whose 
comely  features  were  accompanied  by  a  physique 
indicating  great  endurance  and  strength  of  muscle, 
was  instantly  besieged  by  so  great  a  multitude 
of  admirers  that  she  fled  to  Madame  Bourdon, 
who  restored  order  amongst  them  and  made  the 
wooers  advance  one  at  a  time  and  each  give 
his  name,  residence,  and  amount  of  worldly  pos 
sessions. 

"  There  they  are,"  remarked  Madame  Bizard 
in  a  half-contemptuous  tone,  "a  fine  collection 
of  healthy  cattle.  Walk  up,  Messieurs!  Varie 
ties  for  all  tastes  !  the  tall,  the  short,  the  dark, 
the  light,  the  fat,  the  thin.  Poke  them  in  the 
ribs,  examine  their  teeth,  and  then  when  you 
have  made  your  selection,  take  your  property 
home  with  you."  Then  after  a  moment's  si 
lence,  "  There  can  be  no  question  of  a  difference 
in  their  dots,  as  His  Gracious  Majesty  has  en 
dowed  each  alike." 


Cupid  and  his  Archery  199 

"  Mon  Dieu  !  they  bring  wealth  to  their  hus 
bands  ?  "  queried  Tonti. 

"  Certainementl  Fifty  livres  in  household  sup 
plies  and  two  barrels  of  salted  meat,"  was  the 
laughing  rejoinder. 

"  Ma  foil  a  liberal  dowry." 

"  But  you  forget  the  princely  gift  he  gives  the 
new  husbands  for  surrendering  their  liberty  :  an 
ox,  a  pair  of  swine,  a  pair  of  fowls,  some  salt  meat, 
and  —  eleven  crowns  in  money;"  and  again  the 
merry  laugh  rang  in  Tonti's  ear  with  a  sweetness 
that,  had  he  not  been  on  his  guard,  he  would 
have  believed  to  be  sincerely  genuine. 

Soon  all  the  girls  were  mated  and  had  disap 
peared  through  the  church  doors.  The  remain 
ing  wooers  took  their  discomfiture  philosophi 
cally,  and,  departing  in  twos  and  threes,  repaired 
to  the  nearest  tavern,  where  they  sought  to 
drown  their  disappointment  and  drink  to  better 
luck  next  year. 


Chapter    Fourteen 

IN   WHICH   A   TRAP   IS   SPRUNG,    BUT   THE 
MOUSE   ESCAPES 


nr 


HE  days  passed  rapidly.  La  Salle  and 
Tonti  were  busily  engaged  with  prepara 
tions  for  their  departure.  Among  the 
thirty  men  the  explorer  had  brought  with  him 
he  chose  one,  La  Motte  by  name,  as  his  chief 
lieutenant  under  Tonti.  The  stores  of  iron  and 
cordage  for  the  vessel  he  intended  building  on 
the  Great  Lakes,  the  beads,  scarlet  cloth,  hatchets, 
knives,  and  other  presents  for  the  Indians,  the 
powder  and  bullets  for  the  use  of  the  entire 
party,  —  all  were  carefully  packed  into  the  small 
est  compass  possible,  ready  to  be  loaded  into 
the  canoes. 

Pompon,  still  incognito,  was  here  and  there 
and  everywhere,  saying  little  and  hearing  much. 
Through  his  activity  it  was  learned  that  the 
Jesuit  priest  who  offered  to  accompany  the 
expedition  was  instigated  to  do  so  by  Laval. 
His  offer  was  refused,  and  the  services  of  the 
Recollet  friar,  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  who  had 
come  all  the  way  from  Fort  Frontenac  to  meet 

200 


In  which  a  Trap  is  Sprung         201 

La  Salle,  was  chosen.  The  latter  had  brought 
a  letter  from  his  Provincial,  Father  Le  Fevre, 
containing  permission  to  join  the  expedition. 
To  prepare  himself,  the  worthy  friar  went  into 
retreat  at  the  Recollet  convent,  remaining  for 
several  days  in  prayer  and  meditation.  Finally, 
after  dining  at  the  Chateau  with  Frontenac,  La 
Salle,  and  Tonti,  and  after  a  farewell  vigil,  he 
received  the  blessing  of  Laval  and  departed  at 
daybreak.  His  friends  watched  his  figure  with 
its  sandalled  feet,  coarse  gray  capote,  and  peaked 
hood,  the  cord  of  St.  Francis  hanging  at  his  side, 
glide  away  in  his  birch  canoe,  paddled  by  two 
men,  en  route  for  Fort  Frontenac,  where  they 
were  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  others.  Within 
a  week  La  Motte  and  most  of  the  men  followed, 
with  twelve  well-laden  canoes. 

The  bulk  of  the  work  of  preparation  being 
thus  over,  Tonti  had  ample  time  to  renew  his 
acquaintance  with  Madame  Bizard.  She  had 
made  one  effort  toward  influencing  him  against 
La  Salle,  but  had  been  so  coldly  repulsed  that 
she  began  to  doubt  her  ability  to  bias  him  di 
rectly  against  his  friend  and  leader.  The  difficulty 
of  the  task,  however,  only  added  zest  to  her 
endeavors,  so  that  she  redoubled  her  attempts. 
They  met  daily,  seemingly  by  chance,  often  tak 
ing  long  walks  together  up  the  hill  beyond  the 
windmill,  or  to  the  other  extremity  of  the  town 


2O2  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

under  pretext  of  viewing  the  Cathedral,  the 
Seminary,  Hotel  Dieu,  or  the  Palace  of  the  In- 
tendant.  On  these  strolls  she  plied  her  coquet 
tish  arts  in  vain.  Tonti  parried  each  thrust 
with  as  much  skill  as  though  it  had  been  a  com 
bat  with  swords  instead  of  a  duel  of  intrigue. 

Madame  Bizard  had  long  ago  tired  of  the 
humdrum  life  of  the  town  and  the  practical 
straightforwardness  of  her  matter-of-fact  husband, 
who,  taken  up  with  the  monotonous  duties  of 
his  calling,  had  but  little  time  or  taste  for  the 
frivolities  of  the  social  world,  such  as  it  was.  He 
had  every  confidence,  however,  in  his  mate,  giv 
ing  her  full  liberty,  believing  that  in  time  she 
would  settle  down  to  the  serious  obligations  ap 
pertaining  to  the  wife  of  a  soldier  at  a  frontier 
post. 

The  easy  grace  of  the  high-spirited  gallant  who 
had  so  suddenly  appeared  in  her  life,  flattering 
her  vanity,  with  his  mingled  audacious  banter 
and  deferring  humility,  casting  over  all  the 
glamour  of  the  grand  monde,  finally  won  her  silly 
little  heart.  It  was  with  genuine  alarm  and 
dread,  therefore,  that  she  viewed  the  growing 
preparations  that  were  to  end  in  their  separation, 
and  she  increased  her  effo.rts  at  fascination  now 
that  she  had  what  she  believed  to  be  her  own 
passion  for  the  man  to  urge  her  on  as  well  as  the 
commands  of  the  Intendant.  She  met  with  ill 


In  which  a  Trap  is  Sprung         203 

success  despite  her  endeavors,  and  daily  and 
hourly  chafed  at  the  thought  of  his  obduracy  or 
cried  her  pretty  eyes  red  o'  nights  with  vexation 
at  her  failure  and  the  thought  of  losing  him. 

Frontenac  was  in  high  feather  as  the  result  of 
La  Salle's  success  in  gaining  over  some  of  the 
fur-traders  into  forming  an  association  and  advanc 
ing  money.  He  entertained  them  all  right  royally 
for  several  nights,  and  then  resolved  to  give  a 
ball  in  honor  of  his  friends  the  evening  before 
their  departure,  partly  to  maintain  his  dignity  as 
Governor  and  give  his  mimic  court  a  taste  of  the 
gayety  of  Versailles,  and  partly  to  show  his 
defiance  of  his  enemies,  the  Jesuits  and  the 
Bishop.  The  latter  had  recently  inveighed 
against  all  balls  and  dances  as  tending  to  pro 
mote  "  the  luxury  of  dress,  which,"  he  said, 
"  appears  in  the  rich  and  dazzling  fabrics  wherein 
the  women  and  girls  of  Canada  attire  themselves  ; 
in  the  excess  of  ornaments  which  they  put  on  ; 
in  the  extraordinary  head-dresses  which  they 
affect,  their  heads  being  uncovered  and  full  of 
strange  trinkets  ;  and  in  the  immodest  curls  so 
expressly  forbidden  in  the  Epistles  of  St.  Paul 
and  St.  Peter." 

Enemies  and  friends  alike  were  invited,  for 
few  of  the  former  would  dare  to  absent  them 
selves,  although  the  magnificence  of  the  occasion 
would  afford  a  means  of  Frontenac's  triumph- 


204  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

ing  over  them,  winning  still  further  the  favor 
of  the  people  who  dearly  loved  to  behold  any 
manifestations  of  royalty  and  grandeur. 

The  space  in  front  of  the  Chateau  was  bril 
liantly  lighted  by  a  large  bonfire,  kept  burning 
by  a  group  of  servants,  who  heaped  on  large 
quantities  of  brushwood.  At  the  entrance  two 
huge  torches  of  pine  knots  flamed  above  the 
heads  of  a  dozen  soldiers  drawn  up  in  a  line 
before  the  door.  Within,  all  was  light  and  mer 
riment.  The  furniture  had  been  removed  from 
the  entire  lower  floor,  and  a  gay  company 
thronged  the  rooms.  The  walls  had  been  deco 
rated  with  huge  bunches  of  autumn  leaves  and 
berries  backed  by  evergreen  boughs,  while  here 
and  there  a  flag  was  draped  about  a  picture  of 
the  King,  Mazarin,  Colbert,  and  Champlain. 

Two  of  the  rooms  with  floors  freshly  waxed 
were  given  up  to  dancing.  All  of  the  State  offi 
cials  were  present  in  full  regalia,  while  the  mem 
bers  of  the  newly  formed  noblesse  were  there,  eager 
to  claim  the  honors  due  their  unaccustomed 
social  position.  Many  of  the  prominent  mer 
chants,  especially  those  engaged  in  the  present 
undertaking  of  La  Salle,  were  honored.  Nor 
were  the  rest  of  the  citizens  neglected,  for  in  the 
Lower  Town  the  Governor  had  hired  the  larg 
est  tavern,  and,  providing  musicians  for  dancing, 
had  thrown  it  open  to  the  public,  with  plenty 


In  which  a  Trap  is  Sprung         205 

of  good  Norman  cider  to  quench  their  rugged 
thirst. 

Frontenac  walked  among  his  guests  with  a  smil 
ing  countenance  and  fine  presence.  His  humor 
was  jovial,  and  he  showed  no  signs  of  irritation. 
He  heard  with  inward  satisfaction  the  exclamations 
of  pleasure  from  the  women,  and  saw  with  secret 
delight  the  glances  of  disgust  and  ill-concealed 
chagrin  on  the  part  of  Duchesneau  and  his  coterie. 

La  Salle  for  the  last  time  was  the  same  court 
dandy  as  when  Tonti  saw  him  first.  Tonti  him 
self  bowed  and  smiled  to  every  one,  and  was  a 
universal  favorite.  He  danced  several  times  with 
Madame  Bizard,  and  noticed  that  she  seemed 
preoccupied  and  sad.  After  losing  sight  of  her 
for  an  hour  he  found  her  again.  This  time  she 
seemed  to  be  laboring  under  some  secret  excite 
ment.  She  complained  of  weariness,  and  sug 
gested  that  instead  of  dancing  they  walk  up 
and  down  the  balcony  that  ran  past  one  side 
of  the  room.  Tonti  assented,  and,  after  throw 
ing  a  wrap  about  his  companion's  shoulders, 
passed  with  her  through  one  of  the  open  win 
dows.  The  first  turn  was  made  in  silence. 
Then  as  they  stopped  a  moment  and  looked  out 
over  the  Lower  Town  at  their  feet,  the  woman 
spoke  low  and  indistinctly  : 

"  And  so  you  are  going  to  leave  to-morrow. 
Are  you  glad  ?  " 


206  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Ma  foi  !  yes,"  was  the  frank  answer.  "  To 
morrow  begins  the  work  I  have  set  out  to  do. 
I  hasten  toward  it." 

"  And  is  there  nothing  in  a  man's  life  beside  his 
work  ?  "  came  in  pettish  tones  from  the  depths 
of  the  hood  beside  him. 

"Ah,  yes,  Cielo  !  "  he  replied,  with  a  spark  of 
mischief  in  his  eye.  "  There  is  honor,  and  one 
other —  love." 

The  feminine  figure  gave  a  little  start  at  this, 
and,  drawing  nearer,  waited  for  him  to  continue. 

"Yes,  a  man's  love  comes  next  to  his  honor. 
I  shall  therefore  have  feelings  of  regret  as  well  at 
leaving  civilization  and  friends  behind,  and  shall 
begrudge  each  westward  step  that  takes  me  fur 
ther  from  the  desire  of  my  heart,  the  idol  of  my 
dreams  ;  "  and  unnoticed  by  his  friend,  he  looked 
in  the  direction  of  the  ocean  and  blew  a  kiss 
toward  France,  that  the  wind  caught  up  and 
carried  off  far  into  the  night. 

"You  know,  then,  what  it  is  to  love?"  came 
to  his  ear  in  soft,  caressing  tones. 

"To  love,  ah!  that  it  is  to  live,"  pursued 
Tonti,  as  he  dreamily  watched  a  spark  rise  from 
a  chimney,  mount  high  upon  the  wings  of  the 
breeze,  and  then  die  slowly  out.  "  Yes,  it  is  the 
wine  of  life,  that  gives  one  strength  and  purpose  ; 
the  bread  of  the  heart's  existence.  What  other 
food  is  there  that  does  not  moulder  and  decay  ? 


In  which  a  Trap  is  Sprung         207 

The  very  air,  the  only  air  upon  which  the  soul 
can  subsist,  for  are  not  all  else  but  noxious 
vapors  and  unwholesome  fumes?" 

The  woman's  blood  surged  to  her  temples  and 
blinded  her  eyes  in  a  reddening  flash  ;  she  reeled 
unsteadily  a  moment;  her  breath  came  in  uncon 
scious,  noiseless  gasps.  The  end  she  had  labored 
for  in  vain  seemed  suddenly  to  burst  in  sight; 
she  had  but  to  reach  forth  and  grasp  it.  One 
desperate  effort  and  it  would  be  hers. 

"Ah!  Henri,  my  love,"  she  murmured,  as 
she  nestled  closer  with  her  head  upon  his  breast, 
"  why  did  you  not  tell  me  sooner !  I  could 
have  arranged  it  all.  But  it  is  not  too  late." 
Then  turning  up  her  face,  she  spoke  rapidly  and 
with  impetuous  earnestness.  "  Come,  give  up 
your  plans  for  the  morrow  ;  leave  the  danger  and 
exposure  and  the  glory  if  you  will  for  others; 
let  them  be  lost  jn  the  wilderness,  but  do  you 
remain,  for  I  love  you,  love  you,  love  you  ! 
Flee  with  me  to-night.  I  have  a  canoe  and 
well-paid  servant  awaiting  us.  An  hour's  time 
will  see  us  half-way  to  Beauport.  Near  by  is  a 
seigniory  held  by  a  friend  of  the  Intendant's. 
I  have  done  much  for  Duchesneau,  he  will  do 
much  for  me.  I  have  a  letter  from  him  here  "  — 
she  tapped  her  bosom  —  "  that  will  gain  for  us  the 
protection  needed.  We  can  stay  at  this  seigniory 
until  La  Salle  has  started  and  the  storm  is  over. 


208  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

The   Intendant  will  give  us  a  large  grant  of  land 

he  will  help  us I  have  saved  some  little 

money.  Come,  mon  cher^  with  me  ;  there  is  still 
time;"  and  at  the  end  of  this  passionate  out 
burst  she  seized  Tonti  by  one  hand  and  with  the 
other  caressed  his  cheek. 

The  young  man  heard  the  woman's  voice,  but 
comprehended  not  at  first  the  meaning  of  her 
speech.  His  first  words,  uttered  as  they  were  in 
a  moment  of  mischievous  gallantry,  had  brought 
to  his  mind  the  truth  that  he  was  about  to  take 
the  plunge  that  would  separate  him  from  all  that 
would  recall  Renee  and  her  surroundings  to  him. 
Here  at  Quebec  the  familiar  accents  of  her  mother 
tongue,  the  sight  of  her  countrymen,  and  all  that 
pertained  to  civilization,  had  served  to  lessen  to 
his  mind  the  actual  sense  of  great  geographical 
dissociation.  But  from  the  morrow  on,  savage 
sights  and  sounds  and  the  unaccustomed  envi 
ronment  of  primeval  nature  would  emphasize  to 
him  his  loneliness  and  separation.  His  glance  fell 
upon  a  star  burning  brighter  than  its  fellows,  and 
he  recognized  in  it  an  old  friend,  one  that  had 
kept  him  company  through  many  a  solitary  vigil, 
one  that  had  presaged  victory  for  him  before 
more  than  one  battlefield,  one  that  he  realized  was 
looking  down  even  then  from  French  skies  and 
was  guarding  his  heart's  treasure,  wherever  in  that 
broad  land  she  might  be. 


In  which  a  Trap  is  Sprung         209 

The  words  that  fell  upon  his  ear  met  with  a 
slumbering  comprehension,  but  the  touch  aroused 
him.  The  contact  of  the  fevered  hand  seemed 
to  burn  him,  seemed  a  profanation  of  the  thoughts 
of  the  revery  he  had  fallen  into. 

He  was  awakened  in  an  instant;  the  full  mean 
ing  of  the  woman's  accents  flashed  over  him.  He 
realized  that  in  the  playing  of  his  part  he  had 
gone  too  far.  He  started  back  a  step. 

"  Man  Dieu  !  flee  with  you  ?  "  he  exclaimed  in 
astonishment. 

"  Certainement ;  now,  at  once.  Ah  !  mon  Henri, 
do  not  keep  me  waiting  —  " 

"  But  your  husband  —  "  he  ejaculated. 

"  Bah  !  that  fool,  dunce,  booby  !  "  she  cried  in 
contempt,  as  she  stamped  her  foot  angrily.  "  He 
can  console  himself  out  of  the  next  shipload  of 
girls.  That  is  the  sort  of  wife  that  would  suit 
him  best,  the  blockhead.  Why  should  we  care 
for  him?  We  love  —  " 

Tonti  seized  her  roughly  by  the  shoulder  and 
gazed  into  her  face,  illuminated  by  a  ray  of  light 
from  the  window.  The  woman's  lack  of  principle 
appealed  less  to  his  anger  than  did  the  realization 
of  the  fateful  consequences  to  himself  had  the  vile 
plot  succeeded,  the  full  details  of  which  from  the 
day  he  arrived  to  the  present  moment  flashed  clear 
and  distinct  through  his  mind. 

"  Woman,"  he  cried  in  a  hoarse,  strident  tone, 
u 


2i o  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

as  he  sought  vainly  to  control  himself,  "  did  I 
not  say  that  there  was  one  thing  strongest  of  all 
in  a  man's  life  —  honor?  Stronger  than  love 
itself,  love,  true  love  I  mean,  not  the  polluted 
thing  you  so  falsely  offer  me  ?  Did  you  think  I 
would  be  false  to  my  comrade  or  my  love  ?  (Dieu 
me  pardonne  for  speaking  her  name  in  the  presence 
of  such  as  you.)  Did  you  suppose  I  was  blind 
to  your  miserable  conspiracy  to  trap  me,  you  and 
your  master  Duchesneau  ?  Per  Dio !  were  you 
but  a  man  1  would  know  how  to  revenge  this 
insult  to  my  honor  and  to  my  intelligence." 

The  woman  stared  at  him  for  a  moment,  petri 
fied  by  astonishment,  trembling  with  mortification, 
rage,  and  despair  in  quick  succession.  A  shadow 
fell  across  her  face  ;  it  was  that  of  Tonti  dis 
appearing  through  the  window.  She  was  alone. 


Chapter    Fifteen 


WHEREIN  FRONTENAC  ASSUMES  THE  ROLE 
OF  GUARDIAN,  AND  TWO  FAMILIAR  FACES 
REAPPEAR 

TWO  years  passed,  and  affairs  of  moment, 
affecting  closely  the  lives  and  fortune 
of  all  the  chief  actors  in  this  New  World 
drama,  were  enacted  in  Quebec.  For  a  time  the 
new  association  of  fur-traders,  whose  support  La 
Salle  had  with  difficulty  obtained,  were  content 
with  their  venture  and  looked  forward  to  the  day 
when  they  could  reasonably  expect  to  hear  tidings 
of  the  expedition's  success.  Their  confidence 
resisted  for  a  time  the  insidious  attacks  made  by 
Duchesneau,  through  the  crafty  Jacques  Le  Ber 
and  other  agents  against  the  enterprise.  But 
little  by  little,  as  no  news  came  and  the  efforts 
of  the  indefatigable  Intendant  were  unremitting, 
their  assurance  was  weakened.  La  Salle's  per 
sonality,  had  he  been  there,  would  have  been 
sufficient  to  hold  their  allegiance,  and  Frontenac 
himself  could  doubtless  have  allayed  their  uneasi 
ness.  Affairs  of  state,  however,  had  compelled 
him  to  devote  all  his  time  to  their  disentangle- 

211 


212 

ment.  His  relations  with  Duchesneau  became 
more  and  more  strained ;  the  Council  showed 
itself  more  unruly ;  failure  in  their  crops  had 
made  the  neighboring  farmers  dissatisfied  ;  their 
demands  for  government  assistance  became  more 
clamorous,  while  the  expected  aid  from  the  King 
had  been  delayed  and  was  destined  to  prove  to  be 
little  better  than  an  empty  promise. 

Thus  the  first  vague  fears  for  the  success  of  the 
expedition  had  become,  thanks  to  the  Intendant's 
machinations,  a  settled  feeling  of  dissatisfaction 
and  unrest;  and  when  a  messenger  finally  arrived 
with  a  tale  of  La  Salle's  misfortunes  and  diffi 
culties,  the  anger  of  the  discontents  became  open. 
Hence  the  seizure  of  all  of  the  available  property 
of  La  Salle  at  this  juncture.  Frontenac  did  his 
utmost  to  placate  these  men,  and  it  was  only  the 
expected  arrival  in  September  (of  the  year  follow 
ing  that  in  which  Tonti  and  his  comrades  had  set 
out  from  Quebec)  of  the  King's  ship  that  kept 
them  from  taking  further  active  measures  for 
securing  legal  redress  for  their  losses.  The  possi 
bility  of  an  alteration  in  the  plans  of  the  King  for 
his  Colonies  ;  of  material  aid  from  the  royal 
treasury;  of  a  change  in  officials  —  all  caused  a 
suspension  of  hostilities  on  the  part  of  the  war 
ring  parties  and  individuals. 

Once  more  did  the  cliffs  and  shores  re-echo  to 
the  roar  of  cannon,  as  the  long  expected  messenger 


Two  Familiar  Faces  2 1  3 

from  beyond  the  horizon's  rim  folded  its  sails  and 
anchored  peacefully  in  the  basin  before  the  town. 
Again  were  letters  read  from  King  and  Minister 
exhorting  loyal  subjects  to  maintain  amicable  rela 
tions  amongst  themselves,  and  to  exercise  all  due 
economy  in  the  administration  of  affairs;  again 
did  the  suitors  swarm  to  the  marriage  market  and 
carry  away  the  new  consignment  of "  King's  girls." 
In  many  ways  the  ship's  arrival  had  proved  a 
disappointment.  The  amount  of  money  sent  had 
been  wofully  short  of  the  sum  asked  for;  of  the 
two  hundred  soldiers  he  had  implored  the  King  to 
dispatch  for  the  proper  garrisoning  of  the  various 
posts,  and  the  overawing  of  the  savages  who  had 
given  increasing  signs  of  unfriendliness  to  the 
French,  Frontenac  had  received  but  sixty. 

It  was  while  reviewing  mentally  the  general 
situation  that  the  Governor  sat  at  his  desk,  the 
morning  after  the  ship's  arrival,  in  the  great  room 
at  the  Chateau,  where  he  first  dined  with  La  Salle 
and  Tonti.  A  stormy  session  of  the  Council  the 
evening  before  and  the  knowledge  of  the  impend 
ing  difficulties  ahead  had  not  deterred  him  from  a 
good  night's  sleep.  Nothing  seemed  to  daunt 
the  nerve  of  steel  and  heart  of  oak  that  the  man 
possessed.  Danger  and  difficulties  only  made 
him  strive  the  harder.  The  heat  of  battle  had 
been  his  lot  all  his  life,  whether  in  Louis'  Dutch 
and  Italian  wars,  or  in  a  campaign  against  the 


214  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Turk.  It  was,  then,  with  a  feeling  of  renewed 
energy  and  eagerness  for  the  fray  that  he  surveyed 
the  situation.  "  I  will  govern  in  spite  of  them," 
he  exclaimed  as  he  struck  the  desk,  bestrewn  with 
papers  before  him,  a  vigorous  blow  with  his  fist. 
"  Them "  comprehended  all  who  rendered  his 
task  difficult,  from  the  procrastinating  King  and 
his  Minister  across  the  seas,  to  the  painted  savage 
lurking  in  the  forests  of  the  New  World. 

Thus  with  a  fresh  vigor  and  determination  to 
face  his  most  belligerent  enemy  boldly,  he  ordered 
a  servant  to  admit  any  seeking  audience  with  him. 
Imagine  his  surprise  when  he  beheld  before  him, 
not  the  crafty  malicious  countenance  of  the  In- 
tendant  bringing  to  his  attention  some  fresh 
point  of  dispute,  or  the  cringing  form  and  whin 
ing  voice  of  Jacques  Le  Ber  as  he  offered  a  new 
complaint  from  the  trading  community,  but  rather 
the  face,  pale  and  severe,  of  Madame  Bourdon, 
who  had  again  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  femi 
nine  portion  of  the  ship's  cargo.  She  was  accom 
panied  by  a  veiled,  girlish  figure,  clad  in  the 
plainest  garb,  who  retired  to  one  side  of  the 
room  upon  entering,  leaving  her  conductress  to 
approach  the  Governor  alone. 

Frontenac,  on  seeing  Madame  Bourdon,  im 
mediately  arose  and  welcomed  her  kindly,  re 
ceiving  from  her  hand  a  letter,  which  he  opened 
forthwith  and  proceeded  to  read,  after  glancing 


Two  Familiar  Faces  215 

at  the  signature.  A  look  of  surprise  and  pleas 
ure  passed  over  his  features  as  he  recognized  the 
handwriting  and  name  of  his  wife. 

Anne  de  la  Grange-Trianon,  Comtesse  de 
Frontenac,  had  in  her  sixteenth  year  become 
enamored  of  the  dashing  famous  young  soldier 
who  had  succeeded  in  reaching  the  rank  of  Mare- 
chal  de  Camp  by  the  time  he  was  twenty-six. 
Though  the  match  was  opposed  by  her  father 
because  of  her  suitor's  lack  of  large  means,  she 
was  wedded  to  him  one  fine  day  at  the  little 
church  of  Saint  Pierre  aux  Boeufs,  which  had  the 
privilege  of  uniting  couples  without  the  consent 
of  their  parents.  A  year  of  happiness  followed, 
then  love  fled,  at  least,  on  her  part.  She  found 
him  wayward  and  headstrong ;  he  found  her 
possessed  of  an  imperious  temper,  and  a  rest 
less  craving  for  excitement.  They  separated, 
maintaining  for  each  other  a  profound  respect, 
although  on  his  part  it  was  really  a  tenderer  feel 
ing.  She  was  always  proud  of  his  success,  but 
when  he  left  for  the  New  World  she  preferred 
to  remain  behind.  Her  influence  at  court  was 
sufficient  to  be  of  inestimable  service  to  her  ab 
sent  husband  on  more  than  one  occasion.  For  a 
time  the  friend  of  Mademoiselle,  she  finally  re 
tired  to  the  Arsenal,  the  former  residence  of 
Sully,  with  Mile.  d'Outrelaise,  a  distant  cousin 
of  Renee  (the  two  branches  of  the  family  were 


2 1 6  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

on  unfriendly  terms),  whom  she  made  her  life 
long  companion.  There,  styled  by  their  ad 
mirers  "  Les  Divines"  they  set  up  a  court  for 
themselves  by  the  aid  of  their  beauty  and  abun 
dant  wit  which  attracted  many,  and  gave  the  tone 
to  the  best  company  in  Paris. 
The  letter  read  as  follows  : 

"  To  Louis  de  Buade,  Comte  de  Palluau  et  Fronte- 
nac  :  I  commend  to  your  protection  and  care  the  young 
girl  who  bears  this  to  you.  She  is  Renee  d'Outrelaise, 
a  relative  of  my  beloved  friend,  and  protegee  of  Made- 
moiselle,  who  has  kept  her  in  seclusion  with  her  for  two 
years.  News  of  her  beauty  being  noised  abroad,  One 
Whom  You  Know  resolved  to  see  her  and  having  done  so 
became  infatuated.  Fearing  for  her  charge  the  same 
fate  that  befell  Mile,  de  la  Valliere  and  others,  Made 
moiselle  has  found  means  of  sending  her  out  of  the 
country  as  the  only  sure  way  of  her  escaping  Him.  Hoping 
to  render  her  position  safer  as  well  as  humor  the  child's 
desire  to  turn  temporarily  a  religieuse  she  has  asked  me 
to  intercede  with  you  in  her  behalf,  believing  that  in  a 
couple  of  years  she  will  have  become  effaced  from  a  Cer 
tain  Memory  and  can  then  return  in  safety.  I  rely  upon 
your  discretion  and  power  to  care  for  her.  She  has 
chosen  the  name  of  Soeur  Amelie.  Do  not  let  her  real 
name  be  known.  All  is  well  for  you  here.  His  Maj 
esty,  despite  your  enemies,  has  confidence  in  you.  My 
respects  to  you  and  all  good  wishes  for  your  success  and 
prosperity. 

"  ANNE  DE  FRONTENAC." 


Two  Familiar  Faces  217 

No  words  of  love  were  there,  yet  the  Gover 
nor's  eyes  lingered  with  pleasure  on  the  signa 
ture.  She  still  was  proud  to  use  his  name.  He 
glanced  at  Madame  Bourdon  as  if  for  further  ex 
planation. 

"  Mademoiselle  was  committed  to  my  keeping 
before  sailing,  with  strict  orders  that  she  should 
be  placed  in  your  care.  She  refused  to  leave  her 
cabin  except  at  night  throughout  the  voyage. 
She  is  somewhat  paler  than  when  she  left  France, 
but  otherwise  she  is  well.  I  have  discharged  my 
duty  and  will  leave  her  future  disposition  to  your 
Excellency."  And  with  a  bow  Madame  Bour 
don  retired. 

Frontenac  walked  slowly  over  to  the  window 
near  which  the  stranger  stood,  and  approaching 
her  said  kindly :  "  Come,  ma  cherey  it  seems  that 
my  wife  has  asked  me  to  aid  you,  which  I  shall 
gladly  do.  Will  you  not  sit  down  that  we  may 
talk  matters  over  ?  "  And  taking  her  hand,  he 
led.  her  with  gentle  courtesy  to  a  chair,  and 
drawing  his  own  near,  sat  down.  The  young 
girl  thanked  him  in  a  low  voice,  and  throwing 
back  her  veil  revealed  her  features  for  the  first 
time  to  her  companion.  "  Mon  Dieu  !  "  he  ex 
claimed,  as  the  freshness  of  her  rich  beauty  be 
came  apparent.  "  I  can  well  understand  the 
alarm  of  Mademoiselle." 

An  hour  thev  talked.     He  strove  to  learn  as 


21 8  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

much  of  her  history  as  she  cared  to  reveal  to 
him,  and  endeavored  by  the  fatherly  tone  and 
interest  he  displayed  to  reassure  her  of  his  kindly 
thought  and  wish.  He  realized  her  helpless 
state  and  saw  that  she  was  unhappy,  and  as  he 
talked  he  revolved  in  his  own  mind  several 
plans  for  her  future  care.  Then,  as  the  subject 
perplexed  him  somewhat,  he  arose  and  paced 
thoughtfully  up  and  down.  He  could  not 
think  seriously  of  allowing  her  to  be  lost  in  a  re 
ligious  life.  It  was  necessary,  therefore,  to  find 
some  family  in  which  to  place  her  that  would  be 
congenial  and  tend  to  dissipate  her  melancholy. 
Glancing  out  of  a  window  in  his  perplexity,  he 
saw  the  figure  of  a  woman  passing  the  square  in 
front  of  the  Chateau.  "  The  very  person,"  he 
exclaimed,  and  calling  to  his  servant,  he  bade 
him  run  and  inform  Madame  Bizard  that  he 
wished  to  speak  with  her.  An  arrangement  was 
soon  made. 

Madame  Bizard  was  rejoiced  at  being  thrown 
into  such  intimacy  with  the  daughter  of  a  gentle 
man.  No  explanation  was  given  of  Renee's 
presence  in  Quebec ;  that  she  was  a  ward  of  the 
Governor  was  sufficient.  The  girl  herself  was 
glad  to  reach  the  refuge  of  a  new  feminine  friend. 
Lieutenant  Bizard  was  quartered  in  a  house  near 
the  Chateau,  convenient  for  Renee  to  make  fre 
quent  calls  upon  her  guardian,. who  soon  became 


Two  Familiar  Faces  219 

very  much  attached  to  her.  She  was  to  him  the 
closest  link  to  that  world  of  fashion  and  gayety 
from  which  his  official  position  exiled  him.  It 
seemed  a  comfort  to  her  also  to  talk  with  him  of 
Mademoiselle,  her  family,  and  her  child-life  in 
Poitou.  Even  his  conversation,  which  touched 
mainly  on  persons  whose  names  she  had  merely 
heard,  was  pleasant  to  her  ears.  Shrinking  from 
the  admiring  glances  of  those  she  met,  she  went 
out  but  little,  save  for  a  stroll  with  Madame  Bizard 
at  dusk,  or  a  brisk  morning  walk  alone  before  the 
sleepy  city  was  awake.  Thrown  thus  upon  her 
own  resources  in  a  great  measure,  she  passed  most 
of  her  time  in-doors,  playing  on  her  lute,  embroi 
dering  an  altar  cloth,  or  reading  and  re-reading 
the  scanty  store  of  books  Frontenac  lent  her. 

Madame  Bizard  often  sat  and  talked,  retailing 
to  her  all  the  gossip  and  events  of  the  town.  She 
dared  not  speak  ill  of  the  Comte,  but  her  predi 
lection  for  Duchesneau  and  his  partisans  led  her 
to  vent  her  feelings  in  acrimonious  aspersions  on 
all  who  were  allied  with  the  Governor.  Best  of 
all,  Renee  liked  to  question  her  friend  about  the 
strange  vast  land  she  had  come  to ;  its  history 
and  its  people ;  the  tales  of  adventures  in  its 
wilds ;  the  rugged  life  of  its  pioneers  ;  the  mar 
tyrdoms  of  its  missionaries.  And  as  she  listened, 
her  heart  glowed  within  her  and  she  wished  that 
she  too  were  a  man  and  might  set  forth  to  hew  a 


22O  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

way  through  the  great  unknown  that  civilization 
might  follow;  or  yet  again  the  hazy,  half-formed 
plan  suggested  itself  to  her  mind  that  even  a 
woman's  weak  hands  through  her  gentle  minis 
tration  in  hours  of  sickness  and  plague  might  win 
a  path  to  heathen  hearts  for  the  glorious  truths  of 
her  religion. 

Madame  Bizard  had  several  times  touched 
upon  La  Salle's  exploring  expeditions  but  had 
spoken  of  no  member  of  it  other  than  its  leader. 
Him  she  denounced  as  a  thief,  a  liar,  and  a  swin 
dler.  Renee  listened  eagerly,  not  daring  to  ques 
tion  her  companion  closely,  fearing  lest  the  sound 
of  the  beating  of  her  heart  would  be  overheard; 
and  bent  her  face  low  over  her  work  or  turned 
away  her  head  that  the  glow  on  her  cheek  might 
not  disclose  the  fact  that  her  interest  in  the  sub 
ject  was  other  than  that  of  a  stranger.  Finally, 
one  day  she  essayed  to  make  some  inquiry  as  to 
the  personnel  of  the  party.  Madame  Bizard, 
whose  fund  of  local  gossip  was  low  at  the  moment, 
quickly  branched  off  into  a  full  description  of  the 
chief  members  of  the  enterprise. 

"  There  was  one  young  man,  ma  chere"  she 
said,  "  who  deserves  to  be  eaten  by  the  savages. 
His  name  is  Henri  de  Tonti,  and  he  occupies  a 
position  next  to  that  of  the  leader.  Had  he 
remained  in  Quebec  I  should  have  considered  it 
my  duty  to  warn  you  of  him,  for  a  more  danger- 


Two  Familiar  Faces  221 

cms  person  for  a  young  girl  to  meet  I  cannot 
imagine.  He  behaved  scandalously  here,  coquet 
ting  with  all  the  women  of  the  place.  It  is  a 
pity ;  they  say  he  has  a  wife  and  child  he  aban 
doned  in  Paris.  We  women  are  so  weak  that  it 
would  be  small  wonder  if  some  of  us  were  to 
believe  the  honeyed  words  spoken  by  one  who, 
I  will  admit,  is  so  handsome,  gallant,  and  pos 
sessed  of  so  winning  a  manner." 

Renee,  pale  and  agitated,  made  her  needle  fly 
the  faster  as  her  companion  rattled  on.  She 
dreaded  what  the  woman  would  say  next,  yet 
longed  for  her  to  proceed. 

"  He  will  never  come  back  here,  I  know," 
continued  Madame  Bizard,  "  for  he  ought  to 
know  that  my  husband  would  shoot  him  down 
the  instant  he  arrived.  Yes,"  she  went  on,  as  she 
saw  Renee  give  a  start,  "  he  even  tried  his  wiles 
on  me,  the  miscreant !  Of  course,  one  cannot 
blame  a  man  for  desiring  to  be  friendly,  and  for 
seeking  the  acquaintance  of  a  woman  of  my  posi 
tion,  who,  although  I  repeat  it  myself,  is  said  to 
be  at  least  passably  good-looking.  He  should, 
however,  have  paid  attention  to  the  ordinary 
proprieties  of  civilized  people,  and  should  not 
have  so  outraged  my  feelings  of  wifely  honor  and 
womanly  pride  by  actually  making  love  to  me, 
and  the  night  before  his  departure  urging  me  to 
flee  with  him  to  the  wilderness." 


222  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

An  exclamation  from  Renee  interrupted  her, 
and  she  saw  that  the  girl  had  pricked  her  finger 
with  her  needle  and  stained  the  fabric  she  was 
working  with  a  drop  of  blood. 

"  There  is  a  man,"  the  woman  continued,  much 
to  Renee's  relief,  "who  has  all  of  his  virtues  and 
none  of  his  faults,  who  came  on  the  same  ship 
with  you  ;  I  wonder  you  did  not  see  him.  He 
is  called  ( le  Comte  >  and  is  staying  with  the  Intend- 
ant.  I  have  met  him  several  times  when  at  the 
Palace  and  have  seen  him  in  the  distance  while 
walking.  I  want  you  to  meet  him.  M.  le 
Gouverneur  will  not  object  to  your  receiving  a 
friend  of  the  Intendant.  I  have  in  fact  invited 
him  to  call,  and,  mon  Dieu !  "  she  cried  with  a 
blush  of  pleasure  as  she  glanced  out  of  the  win 
dow,  "  here  he  is  coming  to  the  house  this 
moment."  Renee  looked  in  the  direction  pointed 
out  to  her  and  saw  the  figure  of  a  young  man 
approaching.  He  lifted  up  his  face  toward  the 
window  ;  the  sunlight  smote  it.  Renee  uttering 
a  cry  of  terror  fell  back  in  a  swoon.  She  had 
recognized  the  Comte  de  Miron. 


Chapter  Sixteen 


RELATES  THE  EVENTS  THROUGH  WHICH  A 
BIRD  IN  THE  HAND  BECAME  TWO  IN  THE 
BUSH 

WEEK  after  week  followed  with  dreams 
of  home,  of  green  fields  and  trees  and 
brooks,  interspersed  with  glimpses  of 
sad,  patient,  sympathetic  faces  of  nuns  and  the 
rustling  of  their  holy  garments,  which  seemed  like 
the  sound  of  angels'  wings,  and  Renee  awakened 
to  a  realization  that  the  former  were  but  dreams 
and  the  restful  assurance  that  the  latter  were  al 
ways  near  to  comfort  and  protect  her.  Some 
spoke  of  ship  fever  contracted  on  the  voyage 
during  which  two  members  of  the  crew  had  died, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  she  had  been  ashore 
a  full  month  before  .falling  ill.  Others  shook 
their  heads  and  whispered  something  about  a 
strange  disease,  lately  found  among  the  Indians, 
that  seized  upon  the  mind  as  well  as  the  body. 
All  agreed  that  it  would  need  every  effort  to 
strengthen  the  weakened  frame  and  renew  the 
brain  that  seemed  to  rally  most  tardily.  In  reality 
it  was  the  double  blow  of  the  news  of  her  lover's 

223 


224  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

unfaithfulness,  and  the  sight  of  the  man  she  feared 
and  whom  she  believed  to  be  dead,  coming  as  it 
did  after  the  fatigue  of  her  long  voyage  and  close 
confinement  of  her  stuffy  cabin,  that  proved  too 
great  a  shock  to  the  nervous  system  of  the  young 
girl. 

The  Governor  came  daily,  and  strove  with 
real  distress  to  encourage  the  sufferer.  Madame 
Bizard  appeared  frequently  too,  telling  her  of  the 
outside  world  and  urging  her  to  a  quick  convales 
cence.  But  somehow  the  desire  to  recover  was 
lacking  in  the  patient.  It  was  as  though  a  spring 
had  snapped  within  her  leaving  inertia  instead  of 
energy,  and  a  desire  to  slumber  on  in  sweet  forget- 
fulness  rather  than  the  determination  to  resume 
the  weary  load  of  life  again.  But  her  release  was 
not  to  be,  and  as  she  slowly  began  to  regain  ground 
she  found  relief  and  her  chiefest  pleasure  in  the 
companionship  of  the  nuns  who  nursed  her. 
Their  life  in  its  seclusion  and  usefulness  appealed 
to  her  heart,  and  gradually  the  fancy  for  a  religious 
life  became  strengthened  to  a  determination.  Her 
own  existence  would  always  be  a  blank,  and  could 
she  do  better  than  to  fill  out  her  remaining  years 
in  the  service  of  God  ?  He  had  evidently  had  a 
purpose  in  permitting  her  to  live,  almost  against 
her  will. 

When  she  first  told  Frontenac  of  her  decision 
he  stormed  and  swore  he  would  ship  her  back  to 


A  Bird  in  the  Hand  225 

France  ;  then,  as  he  saw  that  she  remained  un 
shaken  in  her  resolution,  he  finally  suggested  a 
compromise  to  which  she  agreed.  This  was  that 
she  was  to  remain  with  the  nuns  for  two  years  as 
a  donn'ee  or  religious  helper  who  has  taken  no 
vows.  If,  after  this  novitiate  she  still  persisted 
in  her  purpose_,  he  would  offer  no  objection  to 
her  entering  the  sisterhood.  He  hoped  that  in 
so  long  a  period  events  would  alter  conditions 
in  France  so  that  she  could  be  sent  home  in 
safety. 

It  was  indeed  the  Comte  de  Miron  whom 
Renee  had  seen  as  she  looked  out  of  the  window. 
Tonti's  sword-point  in  entering  his  breast  had 
touched  a  rib  and,  glancing  upwards,  had  wounded 
the  lung  tissue  severely,  barely  missing  the  heart. 
The  copious  hemorrhage  that  followed  well-nigh 
strangled  him.  His  faithful  coachman  finding 
that  he  still  breathed  had  taken  him  to  a  house 
on  the  outskirts  of  Paris,  called  a  leech  and  sum 
moned  one  of  the  Comte's  friends,  whose  name  he 
had  given  him  before  the  duel  for  use  in  any  such 
emergency.  Together  they  combated  the  enor 
mous  loss  of  blood  and  weakness  that  followed. 
On  convalescing,  his  friend,  learning  of  the  King's 
expression  of  satisfaction  in  the  supposed  death 
of  the  Comte,  hurried  him  away  to  an  estate  in 
Brittany.  There  they  abode  together  for  many 
months,  riding  and  hunting. 

i5 


226  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

As  spring  came  his  faithful  confidant  went  to 
Paris  to  see  if  it  were  safe  for  him  to  come  to  life 
again.  He  returned  in  a  month  with  bad  news. 
One  of  the  Comte's  numerous  peculations  in  the 
State  funds,  which  he  had  committed  while  Secre 
tary  to  Colbert,  had  come  to  light,  rendering  it 
hazardous  for  him  to  appear  again  in  Paris  or  even 
remain  in  France,  for  if  by  any  chance  he  were  ap 
prehended  it  would  mean  the  loss  of  his  head.  Ac 
cordingly,  they  laid  their  plans  and  he  was  hurried 
aboard  the  next  ship  that  sailed  for  New  France. 
This  happened  to  be  the  one  on  which  Renee 
travelled.  Both  of  them  seeking  to  escape  obser 
vation  seldom  left  their  cabins.  Hence  it  was 
that  each  was  ignorant  of  the  other's  presence. 

Bearing  a  letter  to  Duchesneau  from  a  friend, 
the  Comte  presented  himself  at  the  Palace  imme 
diately  upon  his  arrival.  The  Intendant  wel 
comed  him  warmly,  recognizing  in  him  a  kindred 
spirit;  one  who  might  be  of  great  assistance  in 
his  various  intrigues.  Staying  at  the  Palace  he 
soon  became  acquainted  with  all  of  Duchesneau's 
friends  and  agents.  It  was  there  that  he  met 
Madame  Bizard,  who  had  come  to  make  her  regu 
lar  report  to  the  Intendant  of  all  she  had  learned. 
He  had  refrained  from  going  about  the  city  to 
any  great  extent,  hence  had  never  seen  Renee ; 
and  it  was  while  on  an  errand  for  Duchesneau 
that  he  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  Madame  Bizard's 


A  Bird  in  the  Hand 


227 


face  at  the  window,  and,  remembering  her  invita 
tion  to  call,  had  stopped.  Well  supplied  with 
money,  which  he  spent  carelessly,  he  soon  made 
many  friends.  Seeing  the  impression  the  young 
man  had  made  upon  the  susceptible  Madame 
Bizard,  Duchesneau  urged  him  to  continue  in  his 
attentions,  hoping  that  the  young  Comte  might 
be  thus  thrown  with  Lieutenant  Bizard  in  a 
friendly  way  and  ultimately  win  him  over  to  the 
side  of  the  Intendant. 

Frontenac  before  long  became  conscious  of  a 
new  force  that  was  aiding  his  enemy,  insidiously 
undermining  his  influence  among  many  of  his 
adherents.  He  was  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this, 
and  it  was  some  time  ere  he  suspected  the  stranger. 
Finally,  several  discoveries  confirmed  his  suspi 
cions,  and  he  realized  that  in  the  person  of  the 
young  man  there  lay  a  useful  ally  for  the  Intend 
ant  and  a  dangerous  enemy  to  himself.  He  was 
powerless  to  do  anything,  however,  as  the  Comte, 
although  an  acknowledged  friend  of  Duchesneau, 
was  still  louder  in  his  professions  of  friendship 
and  respect  for  the  Governor  and  the  Colony,  so 
Frontenac  was  obliged  to  bide  his  time  until  by 
some  overt  act  or  word  he  would  lay  himself  liable 
to  legal  interference. 

The  mischief  that  he  made  became  so  great 
that  the  Governor  was  desperate.  At  length  an 
audacious  speech  made  by  the  Comte  de  Miron 


228  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

one  evening  was  reported  to  him.  He  saw  his 
opportunity.  The  Comte  was  brought  before  the 
Council,  and  several  witnesses  testified  to  having 
heard  him  boastingly  remark  that  there  was  noth 
ing  like  righting  one's  wrongs  oneself,  and  that 
when  the  English  cut  off  the  head  of  Charles  I 
they  did  a  good  thing,  besides  several  utterances 
of  a  similar  tenor.  He  was,  therefore,  accused  of 
speaking  ill  of  royalty  in  the  person  of  the  King 
of  England,  and  uttering  words  tending  to  sedi 
tion.  The  Intendant  and  his  followers  in  the 
Council  did  their  utmost  to  protect  their  ally,  but 
in  vain.  Frontenac's  influence  carried  the  day 
and  he  was  adjudged  guilty.  The  Governor 
forced  the  Council  to  impose  the  most  humiliating 
penalty  possible,  in  order  to  discourage  any  others 
from  taking  up  the  cause  of  Duchesneau.  Ac 
cordingly,  he  was  dragged  ignominiously  from 
prison  by  the  public  executioner  and  led  by  a  rope 
around  his  neck,  with  a  torch  in  hand,  to  the  gate 
of  the  Chateau,  there  to  beg  pardon  of  the  King; 
thence  to  the  pillory  of  the  Lower  Town,  where 
he  was  branded  on  the  cheek  with  a  fleur-de-lis 
and  set  in  the  stocks  for  half  an  hour;  then  he 
was  led  back  to  prison  and  placed  in  irons.  This 
was  to  be  repeated  three  times. 

The  man  while  passing  through  the  terrible 
ordeal  of  the  day  had  seen  the  face  of  Madame 
Bizard  in  the  crowd,  who  smiled  and  nodded  en- 


A  Bird  in  the  Hand  229 

couragingly.  They  had  become  great  friends, 
and  the  Comte  was  glad  to  find  one  kindly  glance. 
The  room  in  which  he  was  confined  was  on  the 
ground-floor  of  the  Chateau.  Scarcely  had  he 
thrown  himself  exhausted  upon  the  bed  placed 
beneath  the  little  grated  opening  that  admitted 
air  and  light,  when  a  summons  at  the  door  en 
gaged  his  guard's  attention  for  the  moment.  Just 
at  this  juncture  the  prisoner  felt  something  drop 
on  his  chest  from  above,  and  saw  that  a  tiny  parcel 
had  been  thrown  in  through  the  window.  He 
quickly  opened  it  and  recognized  a  key  fitting  his 
fetters,  wrapped  in  a  piece  of  paper,  on  which  was 
written  : 

"  Escape  to-night  at  eleven  ;  there  is  worse  in 
store  for  you.  You  will  find  all  the  doors  un 
locked."  There  was  no  name  signed,  but  he 
recognized  the  writing. 

At  dark  his  jailer  left  him  and  was  replaced  by 
four  trusty  soldiers  of  Frontenac.  They  examined 
his  irons  and  then  left  him  to  himself,  a  seemingly 
half-unconscious  being,  huddled  upon  the  bed 
near  the  door,  which  was  fastened  upon  the  inside 
by  an  iron  cross-bar.  After  their  conversation 
began  to  flag  they  stacked  their  arms,  took  the 
one  light  in  the  room  to  a  further  corner,  leaving 
the  bed  in  a  half  shadow,  and  proceeded  to  pass 
away  the  time  with  cards.  The  prisoner  heark 
ened  to  a  distant  clock  in  the  Chateau  striking  ten 


230  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  heard  the  sounds  of  closing  the  building  for 
the  night  as  the  inmates  retired.  Carefully  he 
inserted  the  key  into  the  lock  of  the  iron  on  his 
right  hand,  which  was  freed  ;  then  into  that  of  the 
left,  and  it  was  liberated  also.  Slowly  he  reached 
down,  watching  with  half-closed  eyes  the  group 
of  soldiers  in  the  corner  attentive  to  their  game, 
and  withdrew  his  legs  from  the  encircling  fetters. 
He  waited  impatiently  for  the  clock  to  sound 
eleven  and  wondered  what  he  would  do  if  he 
found  his  information  false.  Perhaps  it  was  all  a 
trap  to  induce  him  to  attempt  to  escape  !  He 
would  chance  it.  Eleven  o'clock  struck ;  the 
players  laughed  guardedly  at  their  game.  He 
arose,  and  with  one  bound  seized  the  four  guns. 

The  rattling  noise  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
soldiers,  who  started  up  only  to  find  their  prisoner 
freed  and  with  one  of  the  guns  pointed  at  them. 
Before  they  recovered  from  their  astonishment 
he  had  slipped  the  bolt;  the  door  swung  open. 
Speeding  down  the  corridor,  he  found  the  doors 
that  barred  his  way  were  all  unfastened.  He  heard 
the  shouts  of  alarm  raised  by  the  soldiers ;  the 
last  door  opened  into  the  night  air ;  he  was  free  ! 

The  next  day  all  Quebec  was  astir  with  search- 
parties  hunting  for  the  escaped  prisoner;  he  was 
not  found.  The  day  after  it  was  learned  that 
Madame  Bizard  had  disappeared  also. 


Chapter  Seventeen1 

SHOWS    HOW    CLOSELY   THE    FORTUNES    OF 
LOVE   AND    WAR    MAY    BE    INTERWOVEN 

IF  the  French  had  dangers  and  disturbances 
within  the  citadel  of  Quebec,  the  white  set 
tlers  and  seigneurs  outside  the  protection  of 
its  guns  were  menaced  by  perils  even  more  deadly. 
The  great  Red  Plague  had  broken  out  again. 
From  the  southward  it  came  creeping  up  in  tiny 
patches  here  and  there  throughout  the  forest, 
stealing  noiselessly  through  sunlight  and  shade, 
creeping  stealthily  from  tree  to  tree,  gliding 
steadily  onward  towards  the  north.  Often  two 
or  more  of  these  patches  met,  coalesced,  then 
moved  ahead  again,  growing  more  wary  as  the 
river  was  approached,  hiding  behind  rotting  logs 
and  beneath  tangled  underbrush  all  the  day  and 
issuing  forth  at  night  to  resume  the  broken  jour 
ney.  At  last  the  outer  edge  of  the  pest  reached 
the  brink  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  peered  fur 
tively  from  behind  the  parted  foliage  for  any 

1  The  Author  is  indebted  to  Parkman's  inimitable  work  for  the 
main  instance  of  this  chapter. 

231 


232  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

sight  of  life  upon  the  surface  of  the  water,  then 
retreated  into  the  darkness,  there  to  skulk  in 
fiendish  preparation.  Along  the  shore  it  sped 
opposite  Quebec  and  down  the  river  towards 
the  sea. 

One  night  the  settlers  heard  the  moaning  of 
the  wind  and  the  splashing  of  the  spring  rain, 
and  smiled  and  thought  how  needful  it  was  for 
the  tender  growing  crops.  But  men  neither  smile 
nor  tend  crops  when  the  Red  Plague  is  abroad. 
That  night  the  stream  was  crossed  and  the  unseen 
scourge  spread  itself  through  the  miasmatic  bogs, 
hiding  within  the  dark  recesses  of  the  virgin  woods, 
all  silent,  mysterious,  noxious.  Then  when  all  the 
clearings  had  been  surrounded  and  the  darkness 
of  a  cloudy  night  had  rendered  it  a  fit  season 
for  things  foul  and  infernal,  the  pestilence  lying 
dormant  in  the  hidden  places  of  the  land  awoke. 

There  was  the  silence  of  death  without ;  no 
wind  stirred  the  leaves  ;  the  very  wild  beasts  had 
fled  in  terror,  leaving  their  haunts  vacant  and 
dumb ;  the  earth  seemed  to  shudder  as  if  in  hor 
ror  of  the  grewsome  flood  her  surface  would  have 
to  drink  that  night.  A  red  light  flashed  its  glare 
upon  the  darkness  ;  a  savage  yell  broke  the  ten 
sion  of  the  awful  moment ;  a  woman's  scream 
pierced  the  very  heart  of  nature  ;  a  stream  of  blood 
gleamed  near  the  flames  —  the  Red  Plague  had 
come,  and  the  woods  were  filled  with  the  flitting 


Fortunes  of  Love  and  War          233 

forms    of    human    demons    as    the    bloodthirsty 
Iroquois  rushed   to  the  attack. 

After  her  recovery  Renee  had  given  herself 
over  to  her  new  work  with  an  enthusiasm  that  the 
nuns  applauded.  Until  she  regained  her  strength 
she  was  kept  employed  with  her  needle.  Event 
ually  she  was  permitted  to  carry  out  her  great 
desire,  that  of  nursing  the  sick.  Soon  the  fame  of 
"  L'Ange"  the  beautiful  nurse,  spread  through  all 
the  town  and  many  tales  were  told  of  her  angelic 
sweetness  by  the  poor  fellows  after  their  recovery. 
She  was  kept  busy  with  her  merciful  ministrations, 
for  the  hand  of  disease  lay  heavy  on  the  place 
that  winter,  and  many  settlers,  their  strength  re 
duced  by  the  scarcity  of  provisions,  due  to  the 
crop's  failure  of  the  previous  season,  fell  victims 
to  numerous  diseases  and  were  brought  to  the 
nuns  for  their  gentle  care. 

Often  calls  came  from  the  outlying  seigniories 
for  nurses  to  go  and  attend  those  too  ill  to  be 
removed  to  the  city.  These  were  cheerfully 
answered  by  the  nuns,  Renee  going  several  times 
herself.  It  was  in  response  to  one  of  these 
demands  in  early  spring  that  she  begged  permis 
sion  of  Frontenac  to  go.  The  Comte  hesitated 
an  instant,  because  the  seigniory  to  which  she  was 
summoned  lay  some  ten  leagues  up  the  river, 
farther  off  than  any  previous  call  had  been.  But 


234  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

as  there  was  no  special  reason  for  fearing  immedi 
ate  trouble  with  the  Indians,  and  he  could  send  a 
goodly  party  to  escort  her,  he  could  not  find  it  in 
his  heart  to  refuse  her  urgent  request. 

The  little  settlement  to  which  she  went  con 
sisted  of  half  a  dozen  farms,  each  with  a  house 
of  the  farmer  upon  it.  At  a  spot  centrally 
located  was  the  home  of  the  seigneur,  flanked 
with  various  buildings,  among  which  was  a  block 
house  where  was  kept  the  powder  and  other 
warlike  munitions,  including  a  small  cannon. 
This  was  built  to  serve  as  the  last  defence  against 
an  attacking  force.  About  the  group  of  buildings 
was  a  palisade,  with  a  bastion  erected  at  each 
corner.  In  times  of  trouble  with  the  Indians 
the  families  retired  to  this  enclosure,  abandoning 
temporarily  their  homes,  The  seigneur  and  his 
wife  had  spent  the  winter  in  Montreal,  leaving 
affairs  in  charge  of  the  head  farmer.  Through 
improper  management  two  of  the  servants  em 
ployed  about  the  seigniory  had  fallen  ill  with 
scurvy  and  were  in  good  chance  of  dying  from 
sheer  neglect,  hence  the  urgent  message  for  help 
sent  to  Quebec. 

When  Renee  arrived  there  she  found  besides 
the  sick  men  a  couple  of  half-grown  girls,  two 
boys,  sons  of  the  seigneur,  aged  ten  and  twelve, 
and  an  old  man  of  eighty,  also  the  wife  of  one 
of  the  farmers,  who  stayed  to  do  the  cooking, 


Fortunes  of  Love  and  War          235 

and  two  soldiers  loaned  by  Frontenac  to  guard 
the  seigneur's  possessions  in  his  absence.  The 
other  dependants  were  scattered  about  on  the 
outlying  farms  with  their  families,  all  hands  at 
work  as  befitted  the  season. 

Renee  managed  within  a  few  days  after  her 
arrival  to  secure  some  order  out  of  the  confusion, 
and  her  attention  to  cleanliness  and  matters  of 
diet  soon  showed  good  results  in  the  improved 
condition  of  her  patients.  The  little  spare  time 
she  had  for  herself  she  usually  spent  in  walking 
down  to  the  landing  place  or  strolling  along  the 
bank  of  the  stream.  One  afternoon  while  stand 
ing  with  the  younger  of  the  two  boys  looking 
up  and  down  the  river,  while  he  played  at  skip 
ping  stones,  she  noticed  several  times  a  sound 
as  of  the  muffled  reports  of  fire-arms.  Thinking 
it  strange,  she  gazed  in  the  direction  from  whence 
the  noise  came,  and  was  surprised  to  see  a  woman 
suddenly  emerge  from  the  woods  and  run  speed 
ing  across  the  clearing  towards  the  house.  "The 
Iroquois  !  "  she  cried  in  terror.  Renee's  young 
companion  stopped  his  play,  and,  after  shading 
his  eyes  and  gazing  intently  an  instant,  seized 
her  hand,  exclaiming,  "  Run,  Mademoiselle,  run  ! 
Here  come  the  Indians  !"  and  as  he  spoke  she 
saw  some  fifty  or  sixty  painted  savages  break 
from  cover.  As  they  sped  towards  the  gate,  the 
brave  boy  urged  her  on,  yet  keeping  a  pace  be- 


236  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

hind  so  as  to  guard  her.     The  distance  was  but 
short,  and    the    Indians,   seeing   they   could   not 
capture  them,  stopped  and  began   to  fire.     The 
bullets  whizzed   by  the  ears  of  the  fugitives,  but 
they  remained  unhurt.     The  woman  reached  the 
gate  before  them  and  would  have  shut  it  in  their 
faces  had  not  Renee  called  to  her  to  wait.     Once 
inside,  the  two  fastened  it  securely.      Renee  has 
tened  to  find  the  men,  but  no  one  was  in  sight. 
There  was  little  time  to  lose,  so  after  sending  the 
boy  to  find  them  she  set  about  herself  to  inspect 
the   defences.       It   had   been   so  long   since   any 
danger  had  presented  itself  that  they  had  been 
allowed   to   get   out   of  repair.     She   found   that 
several  of  the  palisades  had  fallen  down,  leaving 
openings  through  which   the  enemy  could  easily 
enter.      By  this  time  the  boy  had  returned,  bring 
ing  with  him  only  his  brother  and  the  octogena 
rian,  both  of  them  willing  but  feeble  hands.     The 
soldiers  and  the  women  were  not   to  be  found. 
With  encouraging  words  Renee  made  use  of  the 
material  she  had,  and  with  their  assistance  soon 
raised    the    fallen    palisades   into   position   again. 
She  then  directed  one  of  the  boys  to  fire  at  the 
Indians  from  the  loopholes,  while  the  other  beat 
a  drum  violently.     She  then  went  to  the  block 
house    where    the    ammunition   was    stored   and 
there  found    the   two   soldiers    huddled   up   in   a 
dark   corner  with    the  women   folks,  one  hiding 


Fortunes  of  Love  and  War         237 

his  head,  the  other  with  a  lighted  match  in  his 
hand. 

"  What  are  you  doing?  "  Renee  cried. 

"I  shall  light  the  powder  and  blow  us  all  up," 
was  the  reply. 

"  You  are  a  miserable  coward !  Leave  this 
place  ! "  was  her  contemptuous  command. 

Finding  herself  thus  deserted  of  all  expected 
aid,  Renee's  spirit  rose,  so,  throwing  aside  her 
head-gear,  she  put  on  a  man's  hat  and,  seizing  a 
gun,  called  to  the  two  boys,  saying,  "  Let  us  fight 
to  the  death.  We  are  fighting  for  our  country 
and  our  religion.  Remember  that  gentlemen  are 
born  to  shed  their  blood  for  the  service  of  God 
and  the  King.  I  too  am  of  gentle  blood  and 
will  serve  with  you." 

This  resolute  action  and  brave  words  changed 
the  frightened  soldiers,  who  came  forward  and 
begged  her  to  command  them.  She  accepted 
their  services  and  ordered  them  to  fire  the  can 
non,  not  only  to  prevent  the  savages  from  storm 
ing  the  walls,  but  also  to  warn  any  outlying 
settlers.  The  Indians,  always  loath  to  attack  a 
fortified  place  and  not  knowing  the  precise 
strength  of  the  garrison,  lingered  near  the  edges 
of  the  clearing.  She  then  quieted  the  women 
and  children,  and,  choosing  four  of  the  former, 
furnished  them  with  long  sticks  and  bade  them 
walk  up  and  down  just  inside  the  palisade  with 


238  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

the  end  of  the  stick  showing  above,  to  deceive 
the  enemy  into  thinking  them  to  be  sentinels. 
All  seemed  to  become  enthused  with  her  spirit. 
She  was  everywhere,  one  moment  encouraging 
the  sick,  another  giving  directions  for  the  de 
fence,  another  superintending  the  preparation  of 
food  for  her  tiny  garrison.  Luckily  one  of  the 
cows,  escaping  the  Indians,  came  to  the  gate  and 
lowed  for  admission.  This  was  a  great  acquisi 
tion,  as  she  would  furnish  milk  for  the  sick  and 
the  children,  and,  if  the  siege  were  prolonged, 
would  insure  a  supply  of  meat  sufficient  to  last  a 
considerable  period. 

Just  at  sunset  a  canoe  appeared  from  the  river, 
containing  one  of  the  farmers  and  his  family,  who 
had  eluded  the  redskins.  Some  reinforcement 
must  be  sent  them,  but  Renee  could  prevail  upon 
neither  of  the  soldiers  to  go,  so  after  leaving  them 
at  the  gate  she  marched  boldly  down  to  the  land 
ing  place.  The  savages,  thinking  this  to  be  some 
ruse  intended  to  draw  them  on  to  an  attack, 
remained  quiet.  On  the  way  back  the  boldness 
with  which  the  party  marched  overawed  them 
into  thinking  the  garrison  must  be  very  strong, 
so  they  gained  the  gate  in  safety.  Elated  with 
the  success  of  her  audacious  act,  Renee  decided 
to  assume  the  offensive  and  gave  orders  to  fire 
upon  the  enemy  whenever  they  showed  them 
selves.  As  night  fell  the  sky  was  overcast  and 


Fortunes  of  Love  and  War         239 

threatened  rain,  which  soon  appeared.  Even 
Renee  began  to  lose  heart ;  only  for  a  moment, 
however.  Summoning  her  force,  which  now 
numbered  six  men  and  boys  since  the  new  arrival, 
she  addressed  them  resolutely.  "  Fear  nothing. 
God  has  cared  for  us  this  day  and  will  do  so  fur 
ther,  if  we  but  do  our  part.  To  show  you  that 
I  am  not  afraid  I  am  going  to  mount  guard 
myself  to-night  on  one  of  the  bastions."  Then 
turning  to  the  two  soldiers  and  the  man  who  had 
come  with  his  family,  "  You,  La  Bonte  and 
Cachet,  and  you,  Pierre  Fontane,  go  to  the  block 
house  with  the  women  and  children.  It  is  the 
strongest  place.  If  I  am  taken  do  not  surrender, 
even  though  I  be  cut  to  pieces  before  your  eyes. 
If  you  fight  well  the  enemy  cannot  hurt  you 
there."  She  then  placed  the  old  man  and  the  two 
boys  on  three  of  the  bastions  and  took  the  fourth 
herself.  And  through  the  rain  and  night  the 
answering  cries  of  those  on  watch  reached  the 
ears  of  the  hidden  savages.  The  place  seemed 
to  them  full  of  soldiers  and  they  postponed  the 
intended  attack. 

Affairs  went  on  thus  for  a  week,  the  brave  little 
general  directing  and  supporting  her  forces,  giv 
ing  them  each  a  share  of  sleep,  but  taking  little 
for  herself.  At  last  the  hostiles  became  impa 
tient  at  being  thus  balked  of  their  prey,  and  from 
their  renewed  activity  it  was  evident  that  the 


240  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

supreme  moment  would  soon  arrive.  All  day 
they  could  be  seen  gathering  bundles  of  dry 
wood  and  piling  them  up  ready  to  be  placed 
along  the  outside  of  the  palisade  and  then  ignited. 

Once  more  Renee  was  called  upon  to  exert  all 
of  her  influence  to  keep  alive  the  waning  courage 
of  the  garrison.  One  counselled  that  they  all  try 
to  slip  away  in  the  darkness,  another  suggested 
anew  his  plan  of  assembling  in  the  block-house 
and  perishing  together  by  exploding  the  maga 
zine.  To  all  of  these  Renee  presented  a  scornful 
reply.  "  Are  you  men  and  fear  to  die  when  you 
have  all  the  means  of  defence  about  you  ?  And 
you,"  she  cried  to  the  women,  "  have  you  no 
faith?  Are  none  of  the  prayers  we  have  daily 
offered  to  avail  anything  ?  Surely  le  bon  Dieu 
would  not  have  allowed  us  to  escape  the  destruc 
tion  the  rest  have  met  with,  only  to  deliver  us 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  at  last.  Have  cour 
age,  mes  amis!  Help  will  yet  come." 

She  had  scarcely  spoken  when  one  of  the  boys 
called  out  that  there  were  six  large  canoes  coming 
rapidly  down  the  river  and  that  the  savages  were 
already  retiring.  "It  must  be  that  the  seigneur 
has  heard  of  our  plight  and  has  sent  us  help 
from  Montreal,"  cried  one.  Whoever  it  was, 
they  were  friends.  As  they  landed  and  ap 
proached  the  fort  the  garrison  crowded  about 
the  opened  gate  with  gladness  to  welcome  their 


Fortunes  of  Love  and  War         241 

deliverers.  Renee,  proud  and  smiling,  stood 
amongst  them. 

As  the  party  drew  near,  the  leader,  a  young 
man,  stepped  forward.  "  Grace  a  Dieu  I  We 
have  arrived  in  time.  Where  is  your  com 
mander  ? " 

Imagine  his  surprise  when  the  figure  of  a  nun, 
wearing  a  man's  hat  and  still  holding  her  gun  in 
her  hands,  stepped  forward  and  with  a  sparkle  in 
her  eye  gave  a  stiff  military  salute,  saying,  "  I  am 
he,  mon  General''  Then  as  a  feeling  of  unrestrain- 
able  weariness  seized  her  frame,  "The  garrison  is 
relieved;  I  resign  my  post;  receive  my  arms." 
She  attempted  to  hold  out  the  gun  to  him  as  he 
approached,  but  her  eyes  closed,  her  body  swayed, 
and  she  fell. 

The  young  man  sprang  forward  with  a  glad 
cry  of  "  Renee,  my  beloved  !  "  as  he  caught  her 
falling  figure.  But  the  ears  of  the  brave  defender 
of  the  seigniory  were  dulled,  so  that  she  could  not 
hear. 


16 


Chapter  Eighteen 

DEALS    MAINLY  WITH  A  GAME   OF  CHANCE  IN 
WHICH  FRONTENAC  SHUFFLES  THE  CARDS 

TONTI  was  welcomed  by  Frontenac  with 
great  rejoicing.  The  many  tales  of  death 
and  disaster,  industriously  circulated  by 
La  Salle's  enemies,  had  caused  many  moments  of 
anxiety  to  the  Comte's  mind,  and  he  had  come  to 
fear  lest,  after  all,  they  might  be  true,  and  he 
had  lost  both  friend  and  future  fortune. 

Accordingly  after  dinner,  the  night  of  Tonti's 
arrival,  they  drew  near  the  table,  on  which  was 
laid  the  only  map  that  Frontenac  possessed  of 
the  western  wilds.  Having  spread  this  out  care 
fully  before  him,  he  turned  to  Tonti,  saying : 

"  Come,  mon  ami,,  to  your  narrative !  I  am 
consumed  to  know  each  step  of  your  perilous 
journey." 

Then  did  Tonti  commence  and  relate  in  full 
all  that  had  happened  to  the  hapless  party  in 
its  wanderings,  pointing  out  from  time  to  time 
on  the  map  the  course  of  their  progress.  Fron 
tenac  interrupted  him  often  with  eager  question 
ings,  with  exclamations  of  rage  and  alarm  at 

242 


A  Game  of  Chance  243 

moments  of  peril,  and  with   chuckles  of  delight 
and   roars  of  giant  laughter   as   he   learned   how 

o  o 

difficulties  had  been  overcome  or  enemies  duped. 

"  Parbleu  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  a  worthy  blow  ! 
And  with  your  iron  fist.  A  Mohegan  chief?" 

"Yes,  beset  in  the  street  at  Montreal  by  a  half 
score  drunken  Iroquois  as  La  Salle  and  I  passed 
by.  They  went  too  far  in  their  tormentings 
and  tried  to  cut  his  ear  with  a  hunting  knife.  I 
could  not  stand  it  and  went  to  his  aid.  They 
fled,  spitting  out  broken  teeth  as  they  ran,  leaving 
the  Mohegan  brave  with  us.  He  begged  permis 
sion  to  accompany  us.  It  is  he,  Akiesko  by 
name,  who,  with  Pompon,  has  braved  the  dangers 
of  our  return  to  Quebec." 

"That  droll  Pompon  !  His  wit  and  cunning 
must  have  helped  you  many  times." 

"  Certainement !  Had  it  not  been  for  him  we 
should  never  have  returned.  His  quick  eye  it 
was  that  saw  something  was  amiss  on  Christmas 
Eve,  as  we  sailed  from  Fort  Frontenac  across  the 
lake,  and  perceived  the  rocks  the  treacherous 
pilot,  bought  with  Duchesneau's  gold,  was  driving 
us  straight  upon.  He  it  was  who,  following  La 
Salle's  tracks  in  the  snow,  found  him  gazing  at 
the  Great  Falls  with  the  assassin  creeping  close 
behind  him,  and  who  fired  the  shot  that  pierced 
the  brain  of  the  wretch  and  sent  him  tumbling 
into  the  abyss  as  he  was  about  to  strike  our 


244  A  R°se  of  Normandy 

leader  his  death-blow.  He  it  was,  too,  when 
on  the  banks  of  the  River  of  the  Illini  La  Salle 
informed  us  that  one  mi/st  remain  and  hold 
the  fort  with  the  men,  while  the  other  two  must 
force  their  way  back  to  Quebec  for  aid,  that  vol 
unteered  to  accompany  me.  I  can  also  witness 
to  his  cunning  when,  our  journey  eastward  half 
completed,  we  were  caught  by  the  Hurons  and 
would  have  perished  miserably,  both  he  and  I  and 
Ak;iesko,  had  he  not  had  the  lucky  thought  of 
feigning  madness  and  leading  the  whole  tribe  a 
merry  dance  about  the  village,  affording  us  an 
opportunity  to  escape.  Ma  foi !  at  times  I  believe 
he  holds  something  more  than  brains  within  his 
head  ;  methinks  he  has  a  devil !  He  also  anointed 
his  face  that  night  with  phosphorus  paste  so  that 
when  the  savages  followed  him  into  the  woods  he 
turned  upon  them,  his  features  all  aglow  in  the 
dark,  and  they  fled,  giving  him  time  to  rejoin  us. 
Then,  too,  the  contents  of  his  leather  pouch 
afforded  an  antidote  to  the  poison  La  Salle  had 
eaten  with  his  food,  placed  there  by  another  of  the 
Intendant's  accursed  agents  among  our  men." 

"Peste!  what  villany  will  not  that  rascal  stoop  to 
in  order  to  gain   his   ends  !      But   how  about  our 

o 

noble  friend  La  Salle  ?  You  say  you  left  him 
at  this  point  on  the  River  of  the  Illini,  after 
building  a  fort  you  named  c  Creve-coeur  '  ?  Why 
call  it  the  Fort  of  the  Breaking  Heart  ? " 


A  Game  of  Chance  245 

"  Ah  !  mon  ami^  our  commander  named  it  that, 
out  of  the  depths  of  his  own  grief  and  discour 
agement,  after  overcoming  dangers  and  difficulties 
that  would  have  turned  back  any  other  man  a 
dozen  times.  Mon  Dieu !  now  that  you  have 
me  upon  the  subject  of  the  friend  I  have  learned 
to  admire  and  love  as  my  own  brother,  I  can 
talk  all  night  without  stopping.  What  think 
you,  after  the  final  wreck  of  our  little  vessel  and 
its  stores  at  the  mouth  of  the  Niagara  River  by 
our  unfaithful  pilot,  and  the  desertion  of  a  goodly 
portion  of  his  men,  did  he  despair  ?  Mordioux ! 
no.  A  shrug  of  the  shoulder,  a  firm  pressure 
of  the  lips,  a  straightening  and  stiffening  of  his 
body,  as  though  to  withstand  an  attack,  were  all 
the  signs  of  the  disappointment  he  showed.  His 
voice  was  the  gayest  and  the  load  upon  his  back 
was  the  heaviest  of  us  all  as  we  climbed  up  the 
steep  bank  and  through  the  snowdrifts,  bearing 
what  remained  of  our  supplies  to  a  place  of 
safety.  Treachery  met  him  at  every  hand;  the  very 
men  whose  burdens  he  had  tried  to  lighten  and 
whom  he  had  watched  and  tended  through  sick 
ness  and  starvation  turned  against  him,  thwarting 
his  plans  and  crippling  his  resources.  Even  now, 
while  I  sit  here,  he  is  grappling  with  danger  and 
disaster.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  for  such  a  leader 
Pompon,  Akiesko,  and  myself  gladly  risked  our 
lives  to  return  to  Quebec  for  aid  ? 


246  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"With  the  eye  of  a  general  he  has  planned  the 
winning  of  all  that  great  land  for  the  King  and 
Holy  Church,  and  has  decided  upon  the  spot  to 
be  first  seized  and  held.  A  short  distance  up  the 
river  from  the  point  where  I  left  him  is  a  giant  rock, 
impregnable  if  once  securely  fortified,  that  will 
serve  as  the  beginning  of  a  new  empire  for  France, 
and  will  preserve  it  against  Indian  and  white  man 
alike,  besides  forming  the  centre  of  a  vast  trading 
enterprise.  This  plan,  if  successfully  carried 
out,  will  give  us  the  key  to  the  whole  situation. 
Ah  !  Cielo  !  M.  le  Gouverneur,  if  you  do  not  give 
me  aid,  and  that  soon,  his  great  heart  will  break. 
When  final  disappointment  comes  to  natures  such 
as  his,  there  is  no  other  end." 

Tonti  spoke  with  feeling  as  he  leaned  toward 
Frontenac  in  his  earnestness. 

"Bravo!"  cried  the  Comte,  and  his  huge 
hand  came  down  with  a  clasp  upon  Tonti's  as  it 
rested  on  the  table.  "  You  do  not  disappoint 
my  first  estimate  of  you.  You  are  indeed  a 
worthy  associate  for  the  courageous  La  Salle. 
With  a  score  of  men  like  you  two,  I  could  con 
quer  and  hold  the  entire  New  World." 

Thus  they  talked  and  planned  to  meet  the 
great  demands  that  the  emergency  required  for 
the  successful  issue  of  the  great  enterprise  until 
day  dawned.  And  as  they  strove,  the  patient 
heart  of  their  comrade  alone  in  the  wilderness 


A  Game  of  Chance  247 

with  a  handful  of  mutinous  men  yearned  for  the 
succor  so  desperately  needed,  and  his  eyes  beheld 
above  the  forest  tree-tops  the  breaking  of  another 
day  of  hope  and  endeavor  undismayed. 

Meanwhile  Renee  was  welcomed  heartily  by 
the  nuns,  who  attributed  the  intense  nervous  ex 
citement  under  which  she  was  laboring  to  the 
dangers  to  which  she  had  so  recently  been  ex 
posed.  She  quickly  sought  solitude  in  order  to 
think  out  some  plan  of  action.  She  had  learned 
from  one  of  the  women  standing  by  all  that  had 
occurred  at  the  gate  of  the  seigniory  after  she 
had  fainted,  and  her  heart  was  filled  with  rage 
and  shame.  The  poisoned  lie  told  by  Madame 
Bizard  had  done  its  work.  Tonti,  the  ideal,  the 
hero ;  Tonti,  the  gallant  and  brave ;  Tonti,  the 
fairy  prince,  the  possible  lover  the  chance  of 
meeting  whom  had  rendered  her  exile  bearable, 
was  dethroned,  and  she  saw  in  him  only  an  ordi 
nary  man,  impure,  base,  deceiving,  an  enemy  to 
be  avoided.  Although  no  words  of  love  had 
passed  between  them,  yet  the  remembrance  of 
the  budding  passion  that  she  had  recognized 
within  her  breast  scorched  her  brain  anew.  As 
long  as  he  was  far  distant  she  had  been  able  to 
try  bravely  to  overcome  her  disappointment,  but 
his  proximity  had  aroused  within  her  a  sense  of 
danger  and  a  desire  to  flee.  Banished  from  her 
home  through  a  peril  she  could  not  combat,  she 


248  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

found  herself  surrounded  by  fresh  hazards.  She 
had  fled  to  the  convent  to  escape  the  Comte 
de  Miron,  and  now  like  a  hunted  animal  she 
sought  a  new  refuge  as  another  enemy  appeared 
in  view. 

The  rumored  presence  of  the  escaped  Comte 
as  leader  of  a  band  of  the  murderous  Iroquois 
rendered  her  unsafe  except  while  under  the  direct 
protection  of  Frontenac.  The  arrival  of  Tonti, 
whom  her  unsettled  imagination  pictured  to  her 
as  having  abandoned  his  comrades  in  the  wilder 
ness,  was  a  menace  even  under  the  sheltering 
walls  of  the  fort. 

That  night  she  attended  a  meeting  of  all  the 
nuns  and  heard  a  letter  read  from  one  of  the 
priests  at  Michilimackinac  brought  by  a  mes 
senger  who  had  joined  Tonti  at  Fort  Frontenac, 
in  which  was  depicted  the  pitiful  condition  of  the 
Indians  and  whites  who  were  suffering  from  an 
epidemic  of  smallpox,  and  imploring  the  aid  of 
two  nurses  to  assist  the  three  already  there.  The 
message,  frank  though  it  was  in  relating  the 
hardship  and  dangers  inevitable  to  one  respond 
ing  to  this  Macedonian  cry  for  help,  came  to  her 
as  the  trumpet-call  to  duty  as  well  as  an  avenue 
of  escape.  The  Superior  announced  that  they 
would  be  able  to  spare  but  one  nun  for  the  work, 
and  would  appeal  to  the  donnees  for  a  volunteer 
to  accompany  her.  Only  one  responded ;  it  was 


A  Game  of  Chance  249 

Renee,  who  arose  and  offered  herself  for  the 
service. 

She  hurriedly  sought  Frontenac  the  next 
morning  to  obtain  his  consent.  She  found  him 
busily  engaged  at  his  desk,  but  he  brushed  every 
thing  aside  as  she  entered  and  arose  to  meet  her 
with  a  smile. 

"  Bon  jour,  ma  chere  Mademoiselle,"  he  ex 
claimed,  "  I  am  relieved  at  having  you  back  once 
more  under  my  eye.  I  was  wrong  to  expose  you 
to  the  peril  that  you  have  so  fortunately  escaped. 
I  promise  you  I  shall  be  more  careful  in  the 
future  and  shall  keep  you  safe  beneath  the  guns 
of  Quebec  and  allow  no  more  pilgrimages  into 
the  wilderness." 

"  Pardon  me,  my  protector,  if  I  seem  wilful," 
responded  Renee,  "  but  I  have  one  boon  to  ask 
of  you  that  you  must  grant  or  I  die,"  and  she 
fell  upon  her  knees,  stretching  forth  her  hands 
appealingly. 

"  Ma  foi !  my  fair  petitioner,  it  would  ill  be 
come  my  strength  to  refuse  aught  to  one  in  such 
extremity.  But  come,"  he  continued  in  a  kindly 
tone,  as  he  raised  her,  and  leading  her  to  a  chair, 
insisted  on  her  being  seated.  "  Tell  me  of  your 
troubles,  for  that  you  are  in  great  distress  I  can 
well  see.  Remember  I  am  devoted  to  your  in 
terest,  and  you  may  need  an  older  head  to  solve 
some  of  your  problems." 


250  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

The  fatherly  note  in  his  voice,  his  gentle  in- 
sistance,  came  as  an  infinite  relief  to  Renee's 
troubled  mind.  Here  was  strength  for  her  weak 
ness,  counsel  for  her  perplexity.  The  extreme 
tension  she  had  been  under  rendered  her  woman's 
heart  susceptible  to  these  kindly  words,  and  she 
buried  her  face  in  her  hands  and  wept  violently. 
Frontenac  drew  his  chair  near  and  strove  to  quiet 
her  with  compassionate  words  and  light  stroking 
of  her  hair,  as  a  father  would  comfort  an  unhappy 
child.  Gradually  the  sobs  ceased,  and  Renee 
told  him  of  her  decision. 

"  Mon  Dieu  !  "  he  exclaimed  in  astonishment, 
"  leave  the  security  of  the  fort  for  the  thousand 
perils  of  the  wilderness  ?  Impossible!  It  would 
be  the  rankest  folly." 

Renee  then  opened  her  heart  to  her  companion, 
and  the  iron-gray  head  of  the  doughty  warrior 
was  bent  in  wondering  interest  at  the  recital  of 
the  perils  of  the  girl,  the  depth  of  a  woman's 
love,  the  wound  a  feminine  heart  can  suffer 
and  yet  live,  and  the  strength  of  purpose  of  a 
noble  nature  that  has  resolved  to  conquer,  even 
though  it  be  by  flight.  She  told  of  the  Comte 
de  Miron,  of  his  duel  with  Tonti,  of  her 
adventure  in  the  chair,  of  her  love  she  felt  to 
be  returned,  of  the  appearance  of  the  Comte  in 
Quebec.  As  regards  Tonti  she  contented  herself 
with  saying  that  she  had  learned  that  she  was 


A  Game  of  Chance  251 

mistaken  in  her  estimate  of  the  man,  that  he  was 
all  unworthy  of  her  love,  and  that,  in  short,  she 
had  ceased  to  love  him.  Her  reticence  as  to  the 
cause  of  her  change  of  feeling,  the  vehemence 
with  which  she  expressed  her  dislike,  and  the 
evidences  of  mingled  shame  and  hurt  pride  in  her 
tone,  caused  Frontenac  to  smile  indulgently.  He 
listened  patiently  until  the  end  and  then  dismissed 
her,  saying  in  a  soothing  tone:  "  I  will  consider 
the  matter,  ma  chere,  and  if  I  can  find  no  other 
remedy,  believe  me  I  shall  not  stand  in  your  way 
of  escape  from  this  rascal,  but  shall  aid  you  all  in 
my  power." 

Renee  thanked  him  and  arose  to  go.  As  she 
passed  through  the  anteroom  she  was  startled  at 
finding  Tonti  standing  by  the  window,  evidently 
awaiting  an  opportunity  to  see  the  Comte.  He 
too  was  surprised  at  beholding  her,  and  bowed 
low  as  she  passed,  muttering  some  commonplace 
greeting.  She,  however,  neither  noticed  his  bow, 
his  words,  nor  himself,  but  with  eyes  fixed  in  front 
of  her,  passed  rapidly  through  the  door  with  an 
air  of  haughty  pride  and  disdain  that  would  have 
done  credit  to  Mademoiselle  herself,  and  was  gone. 

Frontenac  saw  this  by-play  and  laughed  at  the 
rueful  countenance  with  which  Tonti  greeted  him. 

o 

"  There  seems  to  be  some  mistake,"  he  said. 
"  You  apparently  think  you  know  the  fair  donnee, 
while  she  believes  differently.  Ah  !  you  knave, 


252  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

trying  your  fascinations  on  every  pretty  woman 
you  meet !  " 

"  Pardon,  M.  le  Comte,"  replied  Tonti  stiffly, 
"  but  I  knew  the  young  lady  before  leaving 
France,  hence  my  salutation.  She  probably  did 
not  see  me." 

"  Very  likely,"  responded  Frontenac  dryly. 
"  Since  you  know  her  so  well  she  will  probably 
tell  you  how  it  happens  she  is  here  and  all  about 
herself  It  will  save  me  the  trouble." 

Tonti  grasped  him  by  the  wrist  nervously. 
"  Come,"  he  said,  "  you  are  my  friend.  Tell  me 
when  and  why  did  she  leave  France  ?  " 

Frontenac,  seeing  the  young  man's  earnestness, 
good-naturedly  told  him  of  the  arrival  of  his 
charge. 

"  She  has  fled  from  Louis,"  murmured  Tonti. 
"  But  why  this  garb  of  a  religieuse?  " 

"  To  escape  the  attentions  of  a  worthless  ad 
venturer  who  came  in  the  same  ship.  She  wished 
to  become  a  nun,  but  I  was  not  willing  to  allow 
that." 

"  Wished  to  become  a  nun  !  "  exclaimed  Tonti 
in  astonishment.  "  How  can  that  be  ?  She  loves 
La  Salle,  and  he  is  devoted  —  " 

"  Loves  La  Salle ! "  laughed  Frontenac  long 
and  loudly.  "  Ho  !  ho  !  my  friend,  I  happen  to 
know  better  than  that." 

Tonti's  face  flushed  angrily.      He  took  a  step 


A  Game  of  Chance 


253 


forward,  crying,  "  Tou  know  ?  What  can  you 
know,  —  unless,  -par  Dieu  !  you  are  wooing  her 
and  intend  to  marry  her  yourself?  " 

Frontenac  fairly  choked  with  merriment  at 
these  ireful  words.  When  he  was  able  to  speak 
again  he  said  : 

"  Mordi !  one  at  a  time  !  Do  I  want  both 
ears  boxed  ?  But  come,  my  warlike  friend,  sit 
down  and  evaporate  your  wrath." 

Tonti  took  several  strides  up  and  down  the 
room,  then  turning  to  his  companion,  exclaimed  : 

"  Pardon,  mon  ami,  but  I  am  distracted  and 
know  not  what  I  say.  Hear  me,  and  decide  if 
I  have  not  reason  for  my  madness.  I  meet  a 
beautiful  woman  in  Paris.  I  worship  and  adore 
her.  She  is  friendly.  I  leave  France ;  and  my 
comrade,  he  whom  I  have  sworn  to  aid  and  de 
fend,  confides  to  my  honor  a  mighty  secret,  tells 
me  that  he  loves  the  same  woman,  and  that  he 
has  every  reason  to  believe  that  he  can  win  her. 
Two  years  later  I  approach  a  besieged  seigniory 
in  the  wilderness  and  find  her,  the  woman  I  love 
and  whom  I  left  across  the  seas,  as  the  defender 
of  the  post.  I  meet  her  here  ;  she  will  not  even 
recognize  me.  You  talk  of  her  and  tell  me  she 

o 

desires  the  convent  and  the  veil.  Mon  Dieu! 
what  am  I  to  believe?' 

"  You  have  never  told  her  of  your  love  ?  " 
asked  the  Comte  in  return. 


254  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  I  could  hardly  do  so  after  my  friend  and 
companion  had  honored  me  with  his  confidence, 
little  dreaming  of  my  own  feelings  toward  her," 
replied  Tonti  proudly. 

Frontenac  watched  the  young  man  musingly. 
"  One  can  never  know  a  woman's  mind.  If 
Madame  Bizard  were  here  —  " 

"  Madame  Bizard  ?  "  cried  Tonti.  "  She  has 
never  known  her?" 

"  Certainement  I  It  was  to  her  charge  that  I 
confided  the  girl  when  she  first  came." 

"  Misericorde  !  "  ejaculated  Tonti.  He  then 
related  to  the  Governor  the  details  of  the  attempt 
to  entrap  him  through  the  agency  of  that  woman 
before  he  had  left  Quebec. 

Frontenac  opened  his  eyes  and  whistled  softly. 
"  She  then  has  reason  to  dislike  you.  She  of 
fered  to  become  your  dishonorable  friend ;  you 
repulsed  her,  she  accordingly  became  your  dis 
honorable  enemy.  I  see,"  he  muttered  to  him 
self  after  a  moment's  thought. 

o 

"  See  what  ?  "   exclaimed  Tonti. 

"  Nothing,"  was  the  mysterious  reply,  "  except 
the  sunlight  advancing  along  the  floor,  which  re 
minds  me  that  time  passes.  Perhaps  I  may  find 
a  solution  to  your  riddle  some  day." 

After  Tonti  had  left  the  room  Frontenac  sat 
awhile  buried  in  thought.  At  length  his  brow 

O  O 

cleared,  his  lips  parted  in  a  smile,  and  he  laughed  at 


A  Game  of  Chance  255 

some  idea  that  occurred  to  him.  He  evidently  rel 
ished  his  little  joke,  for  the  next  week  the  mere  sight 
of  Tonti  or  Renee  in  the  distance  was  sufficient 
to  set  his  sides  a-shaking.  The  savor  of  his  jest 
was  so  enjoyable  that  it  kept  him  in  excellent 
humor  at  the  next  Council  meeting,  so  that  for 
the  first  time  since  the  arrival  of  Duchesneau 
there  was  absolutely  no  friction.  His  merriment 
even  followed  him  into  sleep,  and  he  found  him 
self  awaking  with  a  laugh  on  more  than  one 
occasion. 

He  sent  for  Renee  one  day,  and,  taking  her 
hand  in  his  great  palm,  said  kindly  :  "  Ma  cherey 
I  have  been  considering  the  request  you  made 
me,  and  am  persuaded  that  you  are  right.  I  be 
lieve  indeed  it  is  for  your  best  happiness  that  you 
should  go.  I  will  send  you  on  to  Montreal  with 
the  nun  that  accompanies  you,  there  to  await  the 
arrival  of  the  rest  of  the  expedition  that  I  am  dis 
patching  to  the  relief  of  La  Salle,  and  which  will 
be  large  enough  to  protect  you.  Then,"  he 
added  with  a  twinkle  in  his  eye,  "  I  know  you 
will  not  find  in  the  woods  another  rascal  as  base 
as  you  believe  M.  Tonti  to  be." 

To  Tonti  he  said  in  farewell  : 

"  I  have  been  thinking  over  your  predicament 
of  mind,  and  can  give  you  no  solution  now. 
Time  will  determine  all  things  and  set  matters 
right.  Now  banish  all  thoughts  of  love,  and 


256  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

back  with  all  speed  to  your  comrades.  I  have 
made  arrangements  for  the  most  important  load 
of  all  to  be  shipped  from  Montreal.  When  you 
arrive  there  you  will  receive  it.  Guard  it  with 
your  very  life,  and  convey  it  in  your  own  canoe, 
as  it  will  prove  indeed  to  be  a  treasure  for  La 
Salle." 

He  watched  Tonti's  figure  grow  smaller  and 
smaller  in  the  distance,  and  finally  turned  away 
with  a  sigh  and  the  enigmatical  remark,  "  I  have 
done  the  best  I  could.  If  they  do  not  find 
themselves,  it  will  not  be  my  fault." 

As  they  paddled  up  the  stream  on  the  return 
voyage,  the  men  kept  time  to  an  old  chanson  that 
they  sang  lustily.  Tonti  did  not  join  in  the 
song.  His  mind  and  heart  were  filled  with  a 

o 

strange  perplexity.  He  had  been  unable  to  see 
Renee  again  during  his  stay  at  Quebec,  and  ru 
mors  had  reached  him  that  she  had  left  again  for 
some  distant  point  on  an  errand  of  mercy.  Her 
refusal  to  recognize  him  still  rankled  in  his  heart. 
He  knew  not  what  he  could  have  done  to  merit 
her  disapproval.  He  had  intended  speaking  to 
her  of  La  Salle  and  telling  her  of  his  bravery  and  de 
termination,  thinking  that  she  would  be  content  to 
talk  of  him,  and  thus,  although  it  were  to  discuss 
the  excellencies  of  his  rival,  he  would  find  a  certain 
sweet  satisfaction  in  being  with  her.  Then,  too, 
what  would  his  comrade  think  when  he  told  him 


A  Game  of  Chance  257 

that  he  had  seen  her,  and  yet  brought  no  message 
from  her  ?  A  feeling  of  weariness  passed  over  him, 
that  weariness  of  living  that  comes  at  times  to  every 
man,  as  the  result  of  baffled  endeavor  or  hope  de 
ferred,  that  clogging  effect  of  our  imperfect  human 
nature  upon  the  ever-buoyant  spiritual.  But  the 
thought  of  the  patient,  steadfast  heart  awaiting 
him,  that  wavered  not  nor  faltered,  although 
surrounded  on  every  hand  by  foes  open  and 
secret,  by  the  giant  obstacles  of  Nature,  and 
the  checks  of  chance  and  circumstance,  quickened 
Tonti's  fortitude  and  purpose,  until  his  paddle 
cleft  the  water  and  tossed  its  glistening  spray  as 
gallantly  as  any  voyageur. 

Renee  awaited  at  Montreal  the  arrival  of  the 
party  with  a  feeling  of  relief  and  happiness.  The 
voyage  from  Quebec  had  been  made  without  dis 
comfort,  and  as  the  long  leagues  were  left  behind 
her  spirits  had  risen,  and  she  had  given  herself 
up  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  healthful,  vigorous 
life  about  her.  At  length  it  was  announced 
that  the  fleet  had  arrived,  and  her  escort  was  in 
waiting.  She  thereupon  repaired  with  her  com 
panion  to  the  river-side  to  embark,  with  a  light 
heart,  full  of  hope  for  the  long  journey  before  her. 
Upon  nearing  the  designated  place  she  caught 
the  glint  from  the  paddles  of  a  group  of  canoes 
that  had  already  started,  and  saw  the  one  remain 
ing  craft  that  awaited  their  arrival.  On  reaching 

17 


258  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

the  landing,  she  beheld  the  leader  engaged  in 
conversation  with  one  of  the  fur-traders.  He 
turned  toward  her,  and  she  recognized  in  him 
the  man  from  whom  she  had  fled.  She  saw  him 
start  and  flush,  as  though  with  feigned  surprise. 
She  stood  rooted  to  the  spot  in  astonishment  and 
anger.  How  he  could  have  learned  of  her  pro 
posed  expedition  she  could  not  comprehend,  as 
she  had  taken  great  care  at  Quebec  that  her  des 
tination  should  not  be  known*;  no  one  but  the 
Superior  and  Frontenac  knew,  and  she  did  not 
believe  that  either  of  these  would  betray  her. 
The  presumption  of  the  man  who,  knowing  her 
aversion  to  him,  had  forced  his  society  upon  her 
was  insufferable.  But  nothing  could  be  done 
now.  The  remainder  of  the  canoes  had  already 
departed  and  there  was  no  escape,  so  summon 
ing  to  her  aid  all  the  pride  of  a  race  that  for  gen 
erations  had  conquered  or  suffered,  as  the  case 
might  be  through  their  haughtiness,  she  disre 
garded  the  doffed  cap  and  proffered  arm,  and 
took  her  appointed  seat  without  a  word. 


Chapter   Nineteen 

IN    WHICH   THE    PERILS    OF   THE    DEEP   ARE 
MET,    AND    POMPON    CLIMBS    A    TREE 

THROUGH  the  long  sunny  days,  past 
cape  anu  river-mouth,  flower-fringed 
bank  and  wooded  islands,  the  expedition 
hurried  on  without  let  or  hindrance  from  human 
foe  or  Nature's  adverse  whim.  Renee  contented 
herself  with  conversing  in  low  tones  with  her 
companion,  whilst  Tonti  from  his  position  in  the 
bow  neither  spoke  nor  turned  his  head.  On 
landing  he  superintended  carefully  the  erection 
of  the  bark  hut  that  sheltered  the  women  for  the 
night  and  made  all  ready  for  their  occupancy. 
Their  meals  were  cooked  and  served  as  daintily 
as  the  rude  means  available  would  allow,  the 
Mohegan  hunter  in  some  mysterious  manner 
always  providing  fresh  fowl  or  fish  or  tender 
bird  to  tempt  their  appetite.  To  him  and  to 
Pompon  who  served  them  Renee  was  all  gracious- 
ness  ;  but  Tonti,  who  cared  for  every  detail  and 
who,  unknown  to  them,  slept  before  their  door 
each  night,  received  no  thanks.  He  did  not 
attempt  to  force  himself  upon  them,  maintain- 

259 


260  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

ing  always  a  respectful  distance  and  a  demeanor 
full  of  deferential  courtesy.  Delightful  as  these 
attentions  would  have  been  from  the  Tonti  she 
had  first  known,  they  became  under  the  circum 
stances  anything  but  agreeable,  almost  unbear 
able  ;  for  it  seemed  to  Renee  that,  perceiving,  as 
he  must,  her  repugnance  for  him,  he  was  choosing 
the  most  successful  way  to  torture  her  and  render 
her  miserable.  And  so  the  bitterness  in  her 
heart  for  the  man  she  had  once  loved  increased. 

At  length  the  distant  glimpse  of  the  walls  of 
Fort  Frontenac  was  hailed  with  delight  as  being 
the  end  of  the  first  stage  of  their  long  pilgrimage. 
They  landed  amid  the  welcome  of  guns  and 
shouts  of  men.  Tonti  provided  the  commanding 
officer's  house  for  the  use  of  Renee  and  the  nun, 
and  detailed  one  of  the  mission  girls  to  wait  upon 
them.  A  slight  delay  was  necessary  here  in  order 
to  transfer  the  contents  of  the  canoes  to  a  small 
twenty-ton  vessel  that  was  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  Tonti.  With  this  the  men  were  to  sail  directly 
across  the  lake  to  the  Niagara  River  and  haul  the 
goods  to  the  fort  before  Tonti  reached  it.  This 
would  save  some  time.  He  preferred  to  coast 
along  the  southern  shore  of  the  lake  with  his 
party  in  their  canoe,  a  procedure  less  dangerous 
as  well  as  one  of  greater  comfort  for  his  passen 
gers.  While  these  matters  were  being  arranged, 
Renee  and  the  nun  wandered  about  the  Indian 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  26 1 

settlement  near  the  fort,  viewing  their  mode  of 
living  with  much  interest,  as  this  was  the  first 
glimpse  of  an  Indian  camp  that  they  had  ever 
had.  They  were  received  with  kindness,  and 
sought  to  relieve  the  sufferings  of  two  or  three  of 
the  old  men  of  the  tribe  who  were  bed-ridden. 

One  day  Renee  had  allowed  the  nun  to  return 
to  the  fort  ahead  of  her  and  was  sauntering  along 
the  edge  of  the  lake.  She  finally  stopped  at  a 
point  overlooking  the  water  and  stood  gazing  at 
the  scene  spread  out  before  her.  The  distant  build 
ings  of  the  fort  and  the  curling  smoke  from  the 
fires  of  the  Indian  encampment  were  the  only  signs 
of  human  habitation  visible.  Behind  her,  a  few 
yards  distant,  was  the  dark  green  of  the  primeval 
forest,  while  in  front  and  on  one  side  stretched  the 
watery  wastes  of  a  great  sea.  Her  thoughts  passed 
over  the  restless  surface  of  another  greater  sea  to 
the  land  of  her  birth,  and  a  feeling  of  loneliness 
came  over  her  as  she  realized  her  isolated  posi 
tion,  and  she  wondered  at  the  strange  vicissitudes 
of  the  life  that  le  bon  Dieu  had  led  her  through. 
The  recollection  of  that  bright  day  at  Choisy 
came  to  her  afresh,  when  in  her  girlish  eager 
ness  she  had  penned  the  words  of  the  song  she 
had  sung;  penned  them  to  the  throbbing  of  a 
heart  newly  awakened  to  the  first  tender  thrills 
of  a  strange,  new  passion  that  seemed  to  satisfy 
all  the  yearnings  of  her  nature  and  made  all  things 


262  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

new.  "  Until  he  comes,"  she  murmured  in  a 
saddened,  dreamy  retrospect.  Ah  !  why  had  he 
not  come  —  or  rather,  why  had  he  who  had  come 
not  proved  worthy  ?  Was  love,  then,  all  a  dream  ; 
were  no  men  deserving ;  was  there  not  one  who 
would  merit  all  that  rich  store  of  heart  and  mind 
that  she  felt  was  hers  to  give?  Would  he  come 
to  her  in  this  vast  wilderness  ?  Ah  !  when  and 
who  ? 

"  I  am  come,"  spoke  a  familiar  voice  in  a  hesi 
tating  tone,  and  then  stopped. 

She  wheeled  quickly  about  and  saw  Tonti 
standing  a  few  paces  behind  her.  She  had  been 
so  busied  with  her  own  thoughts  that  she  had 
not  heard  him  break  through  the  cover  of  the 
wood  and  approach.  On  his  back  was  a  huge 
load  of  small  balsam  boughs  that  he  had  cut.  He 
threw  them  down  beside  him,  and,  removing  his 
cap,  continued  : 

"  Pardon  me,  Mademoiselle,  if  I  have  fright 
ened  you.  I  have  been  gathering  fresh  material 
for  your  bed  hard  by.  I  fear  you  have  rested 
ill  on  the  solid  matted  mass  you  found  already 
there." 

Renee's  eyes  blazed.  "  Do  you  not  know, 
Monsieur,  that  your  attentions  are  distasteful  to 
me,  that  I  would  rather  sleep  upon  the  bare 
ground  than  upon  a  downy  couch  that  you  had 
prepared  ?  "  she  said. 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  263 

Tonti  was  startled  at  her  heat,  and  his  cheek 
reddened.  He  answered,  however,  in  a  calm 
voice  : 

"  I  am  come,  as  I  was  about  to  tell  you,  to 
thank  you  for  a  service  rendered  me,  and  to  ask 
you  to  hearken  to  the  few  words  I  have  to  say. 
Will  you  not  listen  to  me  ?  " 

"  I  can  hardly  choose  but  hear,"  was  the  dis 
dainful  reply,  "since  you  are  standing  in  the  only 
path  by  which  I  can  escape." 

The  young  man  stepped  to  one  side,  leaving 
the  way  open,  and  said  with  a  serious  haughtiness 
in  his  voice  :  "  I  do  hot  wish  to  detain  you  against 
your  will.  'T  was  but  a  simple  civil  request  I 
made,  and  one  that  I  felt  I  had  a  right  to  expect 
would  be  granted." 

Again  Renee  broke  forth  : 

"  Right !  What  rights  have  you  over  me  that 
I  am  bound  to  respect  ?  "  Then  feeling  herself  the 
ungraciousness  of  her  speech,  she  continued  more 
quietly  :  "  Go  on  ;  I  will  listen." 

"  I  wish  to  thank  you,  then,"  began  Tonti, 
"  for  your  assistance  in  my  escape  from  Paris.  It 
was  admirably  planned  and  all  the  arrangements 
were  perfect.  I  feel  I  owe  it  to  you  that  I  was 
not  detained  in  France  as  the  result  of  the  unfor 
tunate  ending  of  my  duel  with  the  Comte  de 
Miron." 

"  How  know  you  it  was  I  ?     Could  not  any 


264  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

one  of  the  numerous  female  friends  you  must 
have  at  court  have  done  as  much?" 

"True,  Mademoiselle,  but  they  would  not. 
Court  friends  are  but  friends  if  all  goes  well  with 
one.  When  adversity  sets  in  they  speedily  for 
get  you.  You  will  pardon  me  if  I  say  that  I 
knew  of  no  one  save  yourself  who  would  show 
such  disinterested  kindness  to  a  man  in  need  of 
aid.  Besides,  I  chanced  to  see  at  Quebec  a  note 
addressed  to  Frontenac  that  he  said  he  had 
received  from  you.  The  handwriting  was  the 
same  as  that  which  was  handed  me  after  the 
duel." 

In  spite  of  herself,  Renee  felt  a  thrill  of  pleasure 
as  she  heard  the  expression  of  his  high  opinion 
of  her.  This,  however,  was  instantly  replaced  by 
a  feeling  of  chagrin,  as  she  realized  from  his  last 
words  it  had  been  after  all  but  a  surmise  on  his 
part. 

"  Grant,  then,  that  it  was  I,"  she  said.  "  It 
was  but  repaying  a  debt  I  owed  you.  It  was  be 
cause  of  me  that  the  quarrel  originated.  I  would 
have  done  as  much  for  any  man.  We  are  then 
quits." 

"  I  dared  not  hope  it  was  for  any  personal 
reason,"  replied  Tonti  sadly.  "  But  tell  me  one 
thing,  Mademoiselle,  and  I  shall  weary  you  no 
further.  What  have  I  done  to  merit  the  dis 
dain  you  have  shown  me  ever  since  we  met  in 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  265 

New  France  ?  Of  what  wrong  or  discourtesy 
have  I  been  guilty  ?  " 

"  No  wrong  have  you  done  me"  was  the  ani 
mated  reply.  "  If  you  will  know  I  shall  tell  you. 
It  is  because  of  the  disappointment  I  can  but 
feel  to  find  that  I  have  aided  one  so  unworthy ; 
because  of  the  shame  at  recalling  that  those  lips 
that  have  uttered  such  false  vows  have  pressed 
this  hand.  If  you  seek  further  reason,  go  to 
your  wife  and  child  so  cruelly  abandoned  in  Paris, 
find  Madame  Bizard,  ask  them.  Meanwhile, 
know  that  your  presence  is  distasteful,  that  I 
scorn  to  receive  your  attentions  ;  in  fact,  that  I 
hate  you  !  "  and  Renee  pressed  her  hand  to  her 
heart,  that  throbbed  "  I  love  you  "  in  spite  of  her 
words. 

Tonti  gave  a  start  of  surprise  and  murmured, 
"  That  woman  again  !  "  Then  gathering  himself 
up  proudly,  he  replied :  "  What  evil  deeds  or 
crimes  you  may  impute  to  me  I  know  not.  I 
shall,  however,  continue  in  my  duty  to  my  friend, 
and  not  desist  in  my  endeavors  for  your  comfort 
and  safety.  I  thank  you  for  this  interview  ;  "  and 
gathering  up  his  load,  he  bowed  and  left  the  spot, 
angry  with  himself  at  finding  that  in  spite  of  her 
wrath  she  was  magnificent,  and  realizing  how 
deeply  he  loved  her. 

Within  a  few  days  all  was  ready  for  their 
departure.  The  men  sailed  away  in  the  vessel 


266  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

laden  with  stores  and  provisions,  while  Tonti 
embarked  with  the  two  women,  Pompon,  and  the 
Mohegan  warrior  in  a  large  canoe,  and,  turning 
its  prow  southward,  soon  crossed  the  end  of  the 
lake  in  safety  to  its  southern  shore.  Toward 
Renee  he  maintained  the  same  attitude  that  he 
had  before  their  recent  interview.  Again  was 
her  comfort  sought  in  every  way.  When  the 
wind  blew  strong  or  the  weather  threatened,  a 
stop  was  made  and  they  delayed  until  the  skies 
had  cleared  and  the  water  was  once  more  calm. 
Game  was  not  abundant,  but  fish  were  easily 
caught.  Occasionally,  when  this  diet  became 
unpalatable,  a  camp  was  built,  and  several  days 
were  spent  at  rest,  while  the  Indian  made  a  trip 
toward  the  interior  for  venison  or  bear.  No 
savages  were  seen,  and  Tonti  hoped  to  be  able 
to  pass  by  the  country  of  the  Iroquois  without 
meeting  them.  Over  one-half  of  the  distance 
was  traversed  without  mishap,  and  they  were 
opposite  to  that  portion  of  the  country  inhabited 
by  the  Senecas,  the  westernmost  nation  of  the 
Iroquois  Confederacy,  when  disaster  overtook 
them. 

They  were  proceeding  along  close  to  the  shore 
because  of  the  slight  roughness  of  the  water,  and 
were  making  all  haste  in  order  to  get  over  this 
stage  of  their  journey  as  rapidly  as  possible,  when 
they  suddenly  struck  against  the  ragged  edge  of 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  267 

a  rock  just  hidden  beneath  the  surface  of  the 
water.  Such  was  the  force  of  the  blow  that  a 
large  rent  was  made  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe, 
which  quickly  filled,  careened  to  one  side,  and 
threw  its  occupants  and  contents  into  the  lake. 
On  coming  to  the  surface  Tonti  beheld  Pompon 
(who  could  not  swim)  clinging  to  the  slippery 
surface  of  the  tiny  point  of  rock  that  had  done 
the  mischief,  the  canoe  sunk,  and  the  two  women, 
whose  clothing  served  to  buoy  them  up,  strug 
gling  wildly.  With  a  shout  to  the  Mohegan  to 
save  the  nun,  who  was  nearest  him,  Tonti  himself 
struck  out  for  Renee.  Although  the  shore  was 
some  two  hundred  yards  distant,  there  was  noth 
ing  to  do  but  to  swim  for  it.  He  seized  the  girl 
at  the  waist  with  one  hand,  while  he  strove  with 
his  legs  and  the  remaining  arm  to  urge  her  toward 
a  place  of  safety.  It  was  hard  work,  however,  as 
the  clothing  that  he  wore  was  made  of  skins  and 
soon  became  very  heavy.  Renee,  too,  frightened 
at  the  sudden  plunge,  struggled  to  free  herself 
from  his  grasp.  He  finally  calmed  her,  and  tell 
ing  her  to  rest  her  hand  on  his  shoulder,  he  was 
able  to  make  good  headway. 

"  Why  did  you  not  let  the  Indian  save  me  ?  " 
she  murmured. 

"  Because  I,  not  he,  am  responsible  for  your 
safety,"  was  the  reply.  „ 

Soon  they  reached  the  land.     Tonti  was  much 


268  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

exhausted  by  the  struggle,  but  supported  his  fair 
companion  to  a  dry  spot  on  the  sand  and  then 
turned  his  attention  toward  the  rest.  Pompon 
still  clung  to  his  precarious  perch.  The  Mohe- 
gan  and  the  nun,  however,  were  in  a  bad  plight. 
Terror  seemed  to  have  bereft  her  of  reason, 
and  she  clung  to  her  rescuer  with  a  firm  grasp, 
impeding  his  progress.  Tonti  saw  that  they 
would  never  be  able  to  reach  shore  under  the 
existing  circumstances,  shouted  that  he  was  com 
ing,  and,  after  throwing  off  his  well-soaked  coat, 
plunged  to  their  rescue. 

It  was  time  that  some  help  arrived,  for  the  nun 
had  now  clasped  the  man  about  his  neck  with  a 
grasp  that  he  was  unable  to  shake  off.  Before 
Tonti  had  covered  half  the  distance  they  sank 
from  view.  They  soon  reappeared,  however, 
struggling  anew.  They  were  well-nigh  exhausted 
and  remained  on  the  surface  but  a  moment. 
Tonti  called  encouragingly,  but  they  did  not  hear 
him,  and  sank  again.  As  he  reached  the  spot 
where  they  had  disappeared,  the  head  of  the 
Mohegan  arose  from  the  depths,  but  he  was 
alone.  Breathless  and  half  drowned  he  was,  and 
Tonti  had  to  support  him  to  enable  him  to  regain 
his  strength.  He  soon  learned  that  the  nun  had 
maintained  her  grip  on  the  Indian's  neck  until 
they  had  sunk  the  second  time  and  had  only 
released  her  hold  when  they  touched  the  bottom. 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  269 

Tonti  then  dived,  but  to  no  purpose,  and  yet  a 
second  time ;  she  was  not  to  be  found. 

Feeling  his  own  strength  beginning  to  fail,  and 
knowing  that  the  strong  undercurrents  had  prob 
ably  swept  her  body  from  that  locality,  he  turned 
his  attention  to  Pompon,  who  was  making  vig 
orous  signals  of  distress,  leaving  the  Mohegan 
behind  to  swim  about  and  watch  for  the  nun's 
reappearance.  He  reached  Pompon,  who  had 
been  occupied  in  slipping  from  the  rock  and 
clambering  up  again,  just  in  time,  and  with  him 
in  tow  turned  toward  the  shore.  The  Indian  soon 
relieved  him  of  this  weight,  for  he  was  fast  reach 
ing  a  condition  when  he  would  need  help  himself. 
As  it  was,  had  the  shore  been  a  dozen  yards 
farther  off  he  could  not  have  reached  it.  He 
managed,  however,  to  touch  bottom  and  crawl 
out,  throwing  himself  upon  the  sand,  utterly  ex 
hausted.  Renee,  who  had  watched  his  brave 
efforts,  ran  to  him,  and  loosening  the  sodden 
clothing  about  his  neck  and  chest  as  best  she 
might,  chafed  his  hands  anxiously.  Forgotten 
for  a  moment  was  the  past  with  the  lies  whis 
pered  by  Madame  Bizard  into  her  unwilling  ear, 
and  she  saw  only  her  lover  and  hero,  engaged,  as 
when  they  first  met,  in  bravely  defending  and 
rescuing  those  in  distress;  saw  him,  as  she  had 
dreamed  of  him  so  many  times  before,  boldly 
battling  for  others,  recking  not  of  the  tremendous 


270  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

odds  against  him  ;  saw  him  victorious,  yet  van 
quished.  And  as  he  fell  her  woman's  heart  beat 
fast  with  sympathy  and  alarm.  Her  touch  seemed 
to  invigorate  him,  for  in  a  few  moments  he  opened 
his  eyes,  breathed  deeply,  and  murmured,  "  Grace 
a  Dieu>  you  are  safe  !  But  the  nun  is  lost ;  I  did 
my  best." 

Renee  as  soon  as  she  saw  that  he  had  revived 
dropped  his  hand  and  contented  herself  with  tell 
ing  him  of  her  appreciation  of  his  superhuman 
efforts,  assuring  him  that  she  was  unhurt,  and 
although  lamenting  the  loss  of  her  companion, 
expressed  her  thanks  that  the  remainder  were 
saved. 

They  were  all  indeed  in  a  sorry  plight.  Not 
daring  to  light  a  fire,  if  they  had  had  the  means 
with  which  to  do  so,  for  fear  of  attracting  the  at 
tention  of  the  savages,  they  were  unable  to  dry 
their  clothes.  Luckily  the  sand  was  warm,  and  by 
lying  on  it  they  were  able  to  gather  sufficient  heat 
for  comfort.  Aside  from  their  proximity  to  the 
dreaded  Iroquois,  other  dangers  threatened  them. 
All  of  their  guns,  ammunition,  and  provisions  had 
been  lost  in  the  wreck  of  the  canoe;  they  were  thus 
without  food  and  with  the  prospect  of  a  long  weary 
march  before  them.  After  consulting  among  them 
selves,  it  was  determined  to  make  for  Fort  Niagara 
as  rapidly  as  possible.  Akiesko  climbed  the  near 
est  tall  tree  to  get  a  view  of  the  surrounding  coun- 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  271 

try.  He  could  make  out  no  signs  of  Indians. 
They  remained  where  they  were  for  a  day  in 
order  to  regain  their  strength.  During  this  time 
the  Indian  was  able  to  set  a  trap  and  caught  a 
rabbit,  which  he  brought  back  in  triumph.  This 
had  to  be  eaten  raw.  It  was  not  a  palatable  dish 
for  Renee,  but  she  recognized  the  necessity  of 
fortifying  herself  against  the  fatigues  of  the  jour 
ney  and  bravely  ate  as  -much  as  she  could.  A  few 
berries  were  also  found. 

They  made  but  a  short  distance  the  first  day,  as 
Renee,  unaccustomed  to  walking  far,  soon  became 
foot-sore.  They  followed  the  shore  of  the  lake 
as  closely  as  possible,  both  because  of  the  easier 
walking  found  there  and  also  to  keep  near  a 
supply  of  fresh  water.  At  night  they  sought 
shelter  beneath  a  tree,  and  each  of  the  men  took 
turns  in  watching,  while  Renee,  wrapped  in  Tonti's 
coat,  slept  soundly  after  the  fatigue  of  the  day. 
They  proceeded  thus  for  a  week,  scantily  supplied 
with  food,  although  Akiesko  exerted  all  of  his 
skill  and  ingenuity  in  his  endeavors  to  entrap 
small  game  or  catch  an  occasional  fish,  and  they 
had  progressed  so  far  that  Tonti  began  to  feel 
easier  as  to  their  ultimate  safety.  One  day  they 
were  resting  about  noon  beneath  a  tall  fir-tree 
when  Pompon  was  suddenly  seized  with  the 
desire  to  climb  to  the  top  after  a  possible  nest 
that  he  thought  he  spied  high  up  among  the 


272  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

branches.  He  had  hardly  reached  the  upper 
limbs  when  Tonti,  glancing  up,  was  attracted  by 
the  vigorous  signs  he  was  making.  They  were 
signs  of  alarm  and  caution.  The  rest  immediately 
became  silent  and  waited.  Within  a  moment 
the.re  emerged  into  the  little  clearing  near  which 
they  stood  a  band  of  some  two  score  warriors, 
evidently  a  hunting  party  from  their  dress.  At 
the  same  instant  they  caught  sight  of  the  little 
shipwrecked  group  beneath  the  tree  and  advanced 
toward  them  with  a  shout.  Tonti  stepped  for 
ward  and  made  signs  of  peace.  The  Indians 
proved  to  be  a  band  of  Senecas  on  their  way  to 
the  lake  to  fish.  Their  leader  stepped  a  pace 
nearer  than  the  rest,  and,  addressing  Tonti,  said 
with  a  grunt,  "Who  are  you?" 

Tonti  replied:  "We  are  friends  of  the  great 
Onontio  of  Quebec.  He  sends  his  greetings  to 
his  children  and  bids  you  aid  us.  We  have  lost 
our  way  and  ask  you  to  help  us.  If  you  will  fur 
nish  us  with  food  and  a  guide  to  his  house  by  the 
Great  Falls  he  will  reward  you." 

"The  hand  of  Onontio  is  weak,  and  he  some 
times  sleeps.  We  have  not  seen  him  for  a  long 
time;  perhaps  he  is  dead.  He  does  not  love  us 
or  he  would  not  send  the  black  gowns  among  us 
to  bewitch  our  children,  nor  the  traders  who  cheat 
us  of  our  skins.  If  you  were  his  friends  he  would 
not  have  allowed  you  to  start  upon  so  long  a 


The  Perils  of  the  Deep  273 

journey  without  providing  you  with  food  and 
guns.  My  white  brother  lies.  The  French  at 
the  house  beside  the  Great  Falls  are  not  our 
friends,  for  they  have  made  our  young  men  drunk 
with  brandy  and  then  killed  them.  I  can  do 
nothing  for  you ;  you  must  return  with  us  to  our 
village.  There  the  great  chief  Wolf,  he  whom 
you  French  call  (  Le  Loup,'  will  decide." 

Resistance  was  useless,  as  during  this  harangue 
the  savages  had  scattered  and  now  completely 
surrounded  the  party.  A  seeming  friendly  com 
pliance  was  the  best  course,  so  Tonti  replying 
said: 

"  We  will  go  with  you  to  your  village  and 
there  smoke  the  peace  pipe  with  your  chief.  He 
will  restore  our  strength  and  go  with  us  to  the 
Great  Fallo  and  receive  his  reward." 

The  party  then  took  up  their  return  march. 
Tonti  and  his  companions  were  not  molested  in 
any  way,  but  were  treated  with  all  kindness.  He 
kept  near  Renee,  who,  affrighted  at  the  sight  of 
so  many  half-naked  redmen,  seemed  to  forget  her 
former  antipathy  and  imperceptibly  moved  closer 
to  him.  Pompon,  unseen,  was  left  behind,  shel 
tered  by  the  branches  of  the  giant  fir. 


18 


Chapter   Twenty 

IN    WHICH    SOME   DISCOVERIES   ARE    MADE 

THE  advance  of  the  party  was  not  rapid, 
because  of  the  inability  of  the  captives 
to  make  long  marches.  The  leader  was 
evidently  a  subordinate  chief  who  feared  to  ill-treat 
his  white  prisoners  lest  the  responsibility  of  hav 
ing  provoked  hostilities  with  the  French  should 
be  laid  at  his  door.  At  night  a  special  shelter 
was  provided  for  Renee,  while  Tonti  and  the 
Mohegan  were  permitted  to  rest  on  the  ground 
near  by.  Four  of  the  number  were  detailed  to 
procure  food,  which  they  did  in  great  abundance. 
An  offer  was  even  made  to  provide  a  sort  of 
bark  litter  for  Renee,  swung  from  the  shoulders 
of  two  of  the  braves.  She  refused  this,  however, 
as  it  would  have  separated  her  from  Tonti,  whom 
she  silently  appealed  to  more  and  more  for  pro 
tection.  He  noticed  her  changed  demeanor,  but 
attributed  it  to  the  fact  that  he  was  La  Salie's 
friend  and  the  only  white  man  present.  After  the 
little  camp  was  still  at  night  he  heard  the  call 
of  a  distant  screech-owl  that  he  recognized  as 
the  signal  of  the  ever-faithful  Pompon,  who  was 

274 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made         275 

evidently  following  on  their  trail.  On  their  jour 
ney  to  Quebec,  after  escaping  from  the  Hurons 
t'ley  had  devised  a  code  of  signs  in  case  they 
should  ever  be  separated.  The  number  of  hoots 
corresponded  to  a  letter  of  the  alphabet,  the 
whole  preceded  by  three  series  of  cries  of  three 
calls  each.  Thus  Tonti  was  able  to  spell  out 
during  the  night  the  communication  intended  for 
him.  "  C-o-u-r-a-g-e,"  came  the  cheering  mes 
sage,  "  I  s-h-a-1-1  f-i-n-d  m-e-a-n-s  f-o-r  y-o-u-r 
e-s-c-a-p-e." 

Six  days  they  journeyed  thus.  At  length  on 
the  morning  of  the  seventh  the  far-off  barking  of 
dogs  was  heard,  and  the  prisoners  knew  they  were 
approaching  their  destination.  About  noon  they 
came  upon  a  clearing  about  ten  acres  in  extent, 
situated  on  a  plateau  overlooking  a  beautiful 
lake  some  half-dozen  miles  long.  On  this  plateau 
about  sixty  dwellings  of  varying  sizes  were  scat 
tered  irregularly.  Their  advent  was  heralded  by 
the  yelping  of  a  horde  of  naked  children,  who 
surrounded  them,  followed  by  a  swarm  of  Indian 
curs,  who  barked  vociferously.  The  warriors 
bestowed  a  succession  of  cuffs  and  kicks  when 
they  approached  too  near,  and  led  the  captives  to 
one  of  the  smaller  lodges,  which  was  unoccupied. 

The  sides  of  this  house  were  formed  of  a 
double  row  of  tall  saplings  planted  firmly  in  the 
ground,  whose  tops  were  bent  over  and  lashed 


276  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

together  at  the  top  to  form  the  roof.  The  many 
interstices  of  the  branches  served  for  the  escape 
of  the  smoke  from  a  fire  which  smouldered  on  the 
ground  in  the  middle  of  the  floor.  Over  all  were 
spread  sheets  of  bark  like  the  clapboards  of  a 
civilized  dwelling.  From  a  number  of  cross  poles 
near  the  roof  were  suspended  a  quantity  of  skins, 
clothing,  pieces  of  smoked  meat,  and  rows  of  dried 
ears  of  maize.  Around  the  interior,  about  three 
feet  from  the  ground,  ran  a  shelf  or  scaffolding, 
covered  with  a  few  mats  and  skins,  which  evi 
dently  served  for  sleeping  places  for  the  inmates. 
Here  in  an  atmosphere  rendered  almost  unbear 
able  by  the  heat  and  smoke  of  the  fire,  the  three 
prisoners  were  left  to  await  the  return  of  the  head 
chief  and  his  men,  who  were  off  on  a  hunting 
expedition  for  the  day.  A  guard  at  the  door  pre 
vented  any  intrusion,  and  the  weary  travellers  were 
left  in  peace.  Tonti  managed  to  collect  a  suffi 
cient  number  of  skins  to  curtain  off  one  end  of 
the  room  and  form  a  soft  pile  on  which  Renee 
could  rest.  She  received  this  thoughtful  attention 
without  thanks,  but  yet  without  the  resistance 
with  which  she  had  formerly  met  Tonti's  kindly 
offices. 

The  two  men  retired  to  the  other  end  of  the 
lodge  and  conversed  in  low  tones  concerning  their 
future  disposition.  Tonti  was  inclined  to  con 
sider  that  the  arrival  of  the  head  chief  would 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made 


277 


result  in  their  being  set  at  liberty  and  a  safe  con 
duct  being  furnished  them  as  far  as  Fort  Niagara. 
Akiesko  took  a  more  gloomy  view  of  their  situa 
tion.  The  recent  attack  on  the  white  settlements 
along  the  St.  Lawrence  by  the  Iroquois  and  their 
repulse,  would  probably  make  them  at  least 
unfriendly  toward  the  French,  while  the  fact  of 
their  being  at  continual  warfare  with  his  own 
tribe  would  render  them  apt  to  seek  revenge  for 
former  hostilities  on  the  person  of  the  captured 
warrior.  Tonti  assured  him  that  he  would  de 
mand  his  safety  and  release  as  strongly  as  his 
own,  and  felt  that  the  offer  of  the  reward  he 
would  make  would  overcome  any  feeling  of 
enmity  they  might  have  against  his  nation. 

Toward  night  the  noise  of  the  returning  braves 
was  heard  and  the  hum  of  many  voices  telling  of 
their  success  came  to  the  ears  of  the  waiting 
French.  The  sound  approached  the  lodge  where 
they  were,  and  soon  the  doorway  was  darkened  by 
human  forms  as  a  group  of  men  entered.  Tonti 
stepped  forward  to  meet  the  famous  chief  whose 
terrible  name  had  reached  his  ears  when  he  had 
stopped  at  Fort  Niagara,  as  he  heard  a  voice 
inquiring  in  guttural  Iroquois  for  the  prisoners. 
One  of  the  Indians  threw  a  quantity  of  light  fuel 
on  the  fire,  causing  it  to  blaze  up  suddenly  and 
illuminate  fully  the  gloomy  interior.  Tonti  was 
somewhat  surprised  at  seeing  the  small  stature  of 


278  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

the  renowned  chief,  as  well  as  the  light  tint  of  his 
skin.  As  he  took  a  further  stride,  Tonti  started 
back  in  astonishment,  as  he  recognized  the  painted 
features  of  the  man. 

"  Milk  tonnerres  I  Le  Comte  de  Miron  !  "  he 
cried. 

The  warrior,  too,  made  a  sudden  spasmodic 
movement  of  surprise  as  he  stared  at  him.  He 
speedily  repressed  this  emotion  and  bowed  gravely 
with  a  ferocious  gleam  in  his  eye,  while  the  outlines 
of  a  branded  fleur-de-lis  on  his  cheek  seemed  to 
glow  through  the  paint,  as  he  replied  in  French, 
"  M.  le  Capitaine  Tonti,  I  believe."  His  glance 
chanced  to  wander  toward  the  other  end  of  the 
room,  where  Renee,  awakened  from  slumber  by 
the  noise  outside,  had  pulled  aside  her  curtain 
and  stood  with  white  face  and  pupils  dilating  with 
horror.  He  made  an  eager  step  forward  in  ready 
recognition.  Then  turning  to  his  Indian  com 
panions,  he  dismissed  them  by  a  gesture  and  the 
three  whites  were  alone,  save  for  Akiesko,  who 
retreated  to  the  darkest  corner. 

"  Well,  friends,"  he  said  with  a  demoniac  smile, 
"we  are  well  met.  You,  Monsieur,  who  thought 
me  dead  two  thousand  leagues  away,  and  you, 
Mademoiselle,  who  had  forgotten  me  and  who 
are  more  beautiful  than  ever  even  in  your  con 
vent  garb,  indeed  do  me  honor,"  he  continued  in 
a  mocking  tone,  "  to  have  come  so  many  weary 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made         279 

miles  in  order  to  visit  me  in  my  savage  lodge.  It 
must  have  been  a  difficult  journey  that  you  have 
made,  you  two  together  —  alone."  Here  Tonti, 
who  had  recovered  in  a  great  measure  from  his  sur 
prise,  flushed  red  and  involuntarily  felt  at  his  side 
for  his  sword.  "  Nay,  curb  your  restive  spirit," 
was  the  taunting  reply  to  his  gesture.  "  It  is  not 
seemly  for  guests  to  seek  a  quarrel  with  their 
host.  Besides,  you  have  not  the  means  of  de 
fence  you  had  that  cursed  day,  when  you  nearly 
snuffed  out  my  lamp  of  life  with  your  steel  blade. 
For  shame,  a  lady  present,  too,  to  see  such  a  dis 
play  of  your  angry  passions  !  " 

"  Have  done  with  your  insolence,"  replied 
Tonti  haughtily,  "  and  send  us  on  our  way  to 
Fort  Niagara  with  all  possible  speed." 

"  Ma  foil  "  cried  the  Comte  in  mock  surprise, 
as  he  turned  toward  Renee,  "  did  ever  you  see 
such  indecent  haste  in  a  visitor  to  leave  his  enter 
tainer  ?  'T  is  monstrous  !  Why,  he  has  scarce  ar 
rived  and  yet  he  talks  of  his  departure.  Nay, 
nay,  my  gallant  friend,  it  would  be  scant  grace 
for  me  to  serve  a  guest  so.  For  my  guest  you  are 
and  I  can  promise  you  rare  entertainment,"  he 
continued,  as  a  baleful  glare  of  mingled  hate  and 
triumphant  revenge  darted  from  his  eye.  "  Such 
as  you,  Monsieur,  have  never  before  experienced, 
and  which  I  believe  will  convey  a  lasting  im 
pression  to  your  mind,  while  Mademoiselle  will 


280  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

be  so  delighted  that  I  fear  she  will  be  loath  to 
leave." 

"  Coward  !  "  hissed  Tonti,  beside  himself  with 
rage,  as  he  advanced  with  shaking  fist  upon  his 
enemy.  "How  dare  you  insult  Mademoiselle 
d'Outrelaise  and  myself  with  your  veiled  threats 
and  cursed  insinuations  !  Whelp  of  the  Devil's 
breed  !  Were  I  but  crossing  swords  with  you 
again  I  should  make  surer  work  than  I  did 
before." 

The  Comte  de  Miron  now  threw  aside  his 
mask  of  courtesy,  and,  white  and  trembling,  faced 
his  foe.  "  We  are  not  in  France  nor  shall  we 
fight  with  swords.  Frenchman  no  longer,  I  am 
an  Indian  now,  and  with  savage  weapons  shall  I 
strike.  At  Paris  you  won  ;  the  dice  are  changed 
and  now  't  is  my  throw.  There  you  had  friends 
and  we  were  equal  in  power.  Here  you  have 
none,  and  my  will  is  law.  Am  I  not  the  head 
chieftain  of  the  mighty  clan  of  the  Wolf?  A 
thousand  wait  but  to  do  my  bidding.  You  are 
indeed  in  my  power,  and  you  shall  feel  the  exer 
cise  of  it." 

Then  turning  to  Renee  he  continued  vindic 
tively  :  "  Your  lover  shall  be  the  sport  to  make 
an  Indian  holiday.  You  shall  see  those  lips  that 
have  murmured  soft  of  love  pierced  by  the  savage 
needle ;  those  arms  that  have  clasped  you  close 
shall  shrivel  up  in  the  hot  flame ;  those  eyes  that 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made         281 

have  cast  upon  you  their  amorous  glance  shall 
be  torn  out  and  thrown  to  dogs  to  lick.  While 
you,"  the  man  continued,  raising  his  voice  and 
foaming  at  the  mouth,  "you,  the  delicious  morsel  I 
have  so  long  waited  and  yearned  for,  the  ripening 
fruit  that  I  have  watched  from  afar,  shall  be  mine, 
mine,  and  you  shall  learn  that  it  is  better  to  be 
the  squaw  of  an  Iroquois  chief  than  the  lover, 
mistress,  or  wife  of  the  bravest  swashbuckler  or 
roisterer  on  earth." 

A  snarl  as  of  some  maddened  animal  goaded 
beyond  endurance  escaped  from  Tonti,  and  with 
a  spring  he  had  clutched  his  adversary  by  the 
throat  with  one  hand,  while  with  his  upraised 
iron  member  he  was  about  to  deal  a  blow  that  no 
human  frame  could  resist,  when  he  was  quickly 
seized  and  torn  away  by  two  warriors,  who,  hear 
ing  the  excited  tones  of  their  chieftain,  had  entered 
in  time  to  save  him. 

The  Comte  stood  gasping,  feeling  his  throat 
where  the  imprint  of  Tonti's  fingers  were  visible. 

Tonti's  breast  heaved  from  the  sudden  fierce 
exertion,  and  as  he  stood  held  by  each  out-stretched 
arm,  his  figure  tense  from  the  effort  to  free  him 
self,  he  flung  defiance  at  his  adversary  : 

"  Hell-hound  !  fiend  !  renegade  !  do  you  seek 
to  terrify  me  with  your  menacing  words  ?  Am  I 
a  child  to  be  frightened  by  the  sight  of  your  ugly 
face  ?  What  care  I  for  the  horde  of  painted 


282  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

devils  at  your  back,  surrounded  by  those  who 
obey  your  call  ?  Here,  defenceless,  in  the  midst 
of  your  allies  and  friends,  I  say  do  your  worst, 
torture  me  if  you  will,  but  I  shall  still  defy  you. 
Know  this  as  well,  that  all  your  plans  shall  be  for 
naught ;  that  I  shall  conquer  yet,  and  escaping, 
shall  return  to  wreak  my  vengeance." 

The  Comte  had  now  regained  his  power  of 
speech. 

"  Silence,  vain  braggart !  Escape  ?  Thanks 
for  the  word  ;  it  reminds  me  that  I  must  separate 
you  lest  you  kill  one  another  and  I  shall  find  you 
cold  in  each  other's  arms.  I  will  fetch  my  squaw 
and  she  will  lead  my  lady  yonder  to  a  fairer 
bower."  And  motioning  to  the  two  men  who 
held  Tonti  to  release  him,  he  strode  through  the 
door  with  them  at  his  heels. 

Renee,  who  throughout  the  interview  had  re 
mained  motionless,  now  ran  lightly  to  Tonti. 

"  Ah  !  M.  Tonti,"  she  exclaimed  in  an  alarmed 
tone,  "  what  shall  we  do  ?  Why  have  you  a 
second  time  provoked  this  man  and  roused  the 
hatred  of  one  who  cannot  stoop  too  low  to  gain 
his  ends  ?  Had  you  been  calm  he  might  have 
been  prevailed  upon  to  allow  you  to  go  unmo 
lested.  Now  he  will  never  be  satisfied  until  he 
kills  you.  It  was  brave ;  it  was  noble ;  it  was 
magnificent ;  but  was  it  wise  ?  " 

"  Ah  !   Mademoiselle,"  said  Tonti  with  a  shade 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made         283 

of  reproach  in  his  voice,  "  how  could  I  remain 
calm  beneath  his  insults  to  you  ?  You,  whose 
honor  I  would  defend  with  my  last  drop  of  blood, 
whose  safety  is  my  one  thought,  for  whom  I 
would  face  a  hundred  savages  rather  than  that 
one  hair  of  your  head  should  be  injured  —  "  He 
suddenly  ceased  speaking  as  though  struck  dumb, 
for  as  he  gazed  at  the  girl  who  stood  with  one 
hand  involuntarily  stretched  toward  him,  wide- 
eyed  and  motionless,  he  saw  as  by  a  lightning 
flash  within  her  glance  that  which  stopped  his 
heart  and  sent  a  strange  chill  through  his  frame, 
for  in  that  instant  he  saw  deep  into  her  very  soul 
and  read  the  secret  that  she  had  guarded  so  well. 
It  was  but  an  instant,  for  he  quickly  passed  his 
hand  before  his  eyes  and  recovered  himself. 
"  Nay,  it  is  not  strange,  Mademoiselle,"  he  re 
sumed,  "  that  I  should  speak  thus,  for  I  love  La 
Salle,  and  he  loves  you,  and  I  am  pledged  by  all 
the  claims  of  friendship  and  loyalty  to  bring  you 
safe  to  your  journey's  end." 

Before  Renee  could  reply  the  Comte  entered, 
followed  by  a  squaw.  Hardly  had  she  seen  the 
prisoners  before  she  uttered  a  cryj  and  Tonti 
stared  in  bewilderment  into  the  face  of  Madame 
Bizard.  It  was  indeed  she,  but  how  changed! 
The  roses  had  left  her  cheeks  and  lines  of  care 
and  suffering  were  strongly  marked  about  her 
eyes.  Clad  in  the  slatternly  dress  of  an  Iroquois 


284  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

squaw,  she  had  lost  the  trimness  of  figure  that 
had  been  her  chief  attraction  formerly.  No 
longer  were  the  lashes  drooped  in  coquettish 
glances,  but  a  hunted  look  had  taken  their  place. 
The  Comte  stood  watching  them,  smiling  grimly. 
"  So  it  seems  that  you  two  are  acquainted." 

Madame  Bizard  then  seeing  Renee  for  the  first 
time,  rushed  to  her  and  clasped  her  arms  about 
her,  weeping  violently.  This  action  displeased 
her  lord,  for  he  advanced  and,  grasping  her  roughly 
by  the  shoulder,  pulled  her  away,  giving  her  a 
rude  shove  that  sent  her  rolling  on  the  floor. 
He  then  seized  her  by  the  hair  and  pulled  her 
up  into  a  sitting  posture,  crying  brutally,  "  Get 
up  or  you  will  fare  worse."  The  poor  woman 
did  not  seem  to  think  this  treatment  at  all  unusual 
and  meekly  did  his  bidding.  "  Take  Mademoi 
selle  to  her  lodge  and  serve  her  wants,"  was  the 
next  demand ;  so,  beckoning  to  Renee  to  follow 
her,  she  led  her  out. 

They  passed  to  the  adjoining  house,  which  had 
been  hastily  prepared  for  its  new  occupant.  Some 
attempts  had  been  made  at  cleaning  the  place,  a 
large  number  of  skins  and  rugs  having  been 
spread  about.  Renee's  companion  was  silent 
until  they  had  entered.  After  casting  a  back 
ward  gf.ance  to  see  that  they  were  not  followed, 
she  fell  on  her  knees  and  burst  into  tears.  Renee, 
who  pitied  her  forlorn  condition  and  remembered 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made         285 

her  kindness  to  her  when  she  first  arrived  at 
Quebec,  strove  to  soothe  her,  and  the  kindly 
womanly  sympathy  thus  displayed  had  its  effect, 
for  soon  the  tear-stained  face  was  raised  and  a  sad 
smile  lighted  up  her  features. 

"  Ah  !  Mademoiselle,"  she  murmured,  "  you 
are  so  good  to  pity  an  unfortunate  castaway  like 
myself.  I  have  sinned  deeply,  but  I  have  been 
cruelly  punished.  Since  seeing  you  1  have  had 
time  to  reflect  and  realize  how  great  a  wrong-doer 
1  have  been.  Many  a  night  have  I  lain  awake 
in  my  misery,  and  thought  of  all  the  happiness  I 
might  have  had,  but  which  I  thrust  aside.  You 
can  see  the  misery  of  my  fate  without  my  telling 
you.  However,  it  is  your  future  that  troubles 
me,  for  rather  than  see  you  in  his  power  I  would 
bury  a  knife  in  his  hateful  breast.  But  tell  me 
how  you  happen  to  be  here  ? " 

Renee  then  rapidly  sketched  the  events  that 
had  led  up  to  their  journey  and  the  adventures 
encountered  since  then.  As  she  told  of  Tonti's 
efforts  at  the  time  of  their  shipwreck,  Madame 
Bizard's  eyes  glowed  and  a  faint  tinge  of  color 
returned  to  her  cheeks. 

"  How  brave  he  is,  and  how  noble  !  My  love 
told  me  that  he  was  good  and  worthy  —  " 

"  Your  love  !  "  exclaimed  Renee. 

"  Yes,  my  love,  for  1  will  confess  it  to  you, 
Mademoiselle,  —  I  loved  him.  It  was  my  in- 


286  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

sane  love  that  drove  me  to  tempt  him  to  the 
very  act  to  which  the  Comte  yielded.  But  he 
was  strong,  and  rebuked  me,  shaming  me  for  the 
thought." 

"But  you  told  me  —  " 

"  Yes,  but  I  lied.  My  heart  was  full  of  bitter 
ness  at  finding  him  so  much  better  than  I  ;  for 
his  teaching  me  that  a  man's  honor  was  even 
stronger  than  a  woman's.  It  was  the  desperate 
memory  of  his  refusal  of  my  suggestion  to  fly 
with  me  that  drove  me  mad,  and  made  the  soci 
ety  of  my  husband,  yourself,  and  all  who  were 
good  and  pure  a  torment,  and  was  the  goad  that 
urged  me  to  the  step  I  took.  But  my  repentance 
has  been  bitter." 

"  And  his  wife  and  child  abandoned  in  Paris  ?  " 
eagerly  asked  Renee,  as  she  clutched  the  woman 
by  the  arm,  her  breath  waiting  on  her  reply. 

"  More  lies.  I  could  find  nothing  bad  enough 
to  say  about  him.  I  hated  him  for  the  deep  hu 
miliation  he  had  caused  me,  and  loved  him  all  the 
time  for  his  nobility  of  heart.  He  spoke  of  one 
in  France  whom  he  adored.  I  would  have  given 
my  right  arm  to  have  heard  him  speak  of  me 
with  that  same  feeling  and  reverence  in  his  tones. 
Now  all  is  done,  and  it  is  too  late  for  repentance. 
A  weary  life  of  servitude  amongst  these  savages 
is  my  portion.  I  can  do  nothing  to  retrieve  the 
past,  unless  indeed  I  could  effect  your  escape. 


Some  Discoveries  are  Made        287 

That  would  I  gladly  do  were  I  to  pay  for  it  with 
my  life.  Have  courage,  Mademoiselle,  I  shall 
accomplish  whatever  I  can  for  you." 

But  Renee  heard  not  the  wail  of  regret  nor 
the  woman's  determination  to  redeem  her  wrong. 
Her  eyes  streamed  with  a  strange  peaceful  light 
of  happiness.  In  her  mind  stood  forth  her  lover 
as  she  had  first  believed  him,  worthy,  after  all, 
in  spite  of  the  calumnies  of  his  enemies.  Nay, 
worthier,  for  had  she  not  now  proof  of  tempta 
tion  resisted,  his  love  for  her  constant  and  endur 
ing?  The  gold  had  been  tried  and  had  come 
forth  from  the  furnace  unstained  and  with  a 
brighter  luster  than  before.  Her  heart  was  filled 
with  joy  at  the  glad  discovery,  and  she  found  it 
possible  to  forgive  his  detractor,  and  imprinted  a 
kiss  of  forgiveness,  sympathy,  and  pity  upon  her 
cheek. 

That  night  a  solemn  council  of  all  the  chief 
men  of  the  tribe  was  held  in  one  of  the  largest 
houses,  to  decide  as  to  the  disposition  of  the 
prisoners.  Before  this  assembly  the  Comte  de 
Miron  arose  in  all  the  insignia  of  his  official  posi 
tion  and  spoke  thus  : 

"  My  brothers,  it  is  not  many  moons  since 
we  returned  from  a  war  against  the  French.  We 
returned,  but  with  how  many  less  than  when  we 
set  out  let  the  fatherless  children  and  the  weep 
ing  squaws  tell.  One  of  our  prisoners  is  a  Mo- 


288  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

began  dog ;  he  is  ours  to  torture.  But  as  to  this 
white  chief,  hear  me.  Some  have  accused  me  of 
being  still  a  Frenchman  ;  learn  this,  then  :  I  know 
this  man.  He  is  a  friend  of  the  great  Onontio 
at  Quebec  whose  soldiers  drove  your  braves  back 
and  shot  them  as  they  fled.  His  death  would 
be  a  greater  blow  to  Onontio  than  the  capture  of  a 
dozen  settlements.  He  it  is  who  built  the  house 
beside  the  Great  Falls,  who  sent  men  there  to 
steal  your  skins  and  murder  your  braves  when 
they  resisted.  Here  is  your  revenge.  I  am 
your  brother ;  I  am  no  longer  white ;  let  this 
prisoner  die.  Take  him,  I  give  him  to  you  ;  the 
white  woman,  however,  belongs  to  me." 

A  murmur  of  assent  went  round.     The  prison 
ers'  fate  was  sealed. 


Chapter   Twenty-One 

WHEREIN  A   BATTLE  IS  FOUGHT  AND  AKIESKO 
COMES    OFF    VICTORIOUS 

THE  prisoners  slept  little  that  night.  Both 
Renee  and  Tonti  had  undergone  a  ner 
vous  excitement  during  the  day  sufficient 
to  keep  every  fibre  tingling,  he  at  the  discovery 
of  her  love  for  him,  she  upon  learning  the  truth 
from  the  lips  of  Madame  Bizard.  Now  that  the 
heat  of  his  encounter  with  Miron  had  subsided, 
Tonti  fell  into  a  slough  of  despair.  Escape 
seemed  impossible.  Renee' s  fate  became  more 
hideous  now  that  he  knew  her  secret.  Even  the 
satisfaction  of  dying  together  was  denied  them. 
Renee  was  happy,  rejoicing  in  the  restoration  to 
his  proper  place  of  the  lover  she  had  vainly 
sought  to  forget ;  unmindful  of  the  terrible 
ordeals  the  future  might  have  for  her ;  believing 
vaguely  that  the  discovery  of  her  lover's  faithful 
ness  was  not  for  naught ;  that  a  means  of  escape 
would  be  accorded  to  them. 

Akiesko    alone    of    the    three    prisoners    had 
neither  hope  nor  fear.      He  faced  the  dawn  of  the 
day   of  suffering  with   the  stoicism   of  his    race. 
19  289 


290  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

He  knew  that  he  would  be  sacrificed  first,  in 
order  to  whet  the  appetite  of  the  people  for  blood 
so  that  the  torture  of  Tonti  would  be  a  season  of 
greater  enjoyment  to  his  captors.  Help,  unless  it 
came  within  a  very  few  hours,  could  not  rescue 
him,  even  if  it  were  to  arrive  before  Tonti's  turn 
came.  A  feeling  akin  to  sorrow  invaded  his 
savage  heart  at  the  thought  of  the  disappointment 
and  injury  that  would  come  to  La  Salle  from  the 
loss  of  Tonti.  A  feeling  of  pity  for  the  white 
girl,  whose  days  thenceforward  would  be  a  death 
in  life,  then  followed.  Last  of  all,  the  hatred 
of  his  tribe  against  his  enemies  surged  across 
his  mind,  obliterating  all  other  feelings,  and  his 
thoughts  were  filled  with  plans  how  to  endure 
his  pains  bravely  and  give  defiance  to  them  until 
the  very  last. 

Thus  passed  the  weary  hours  of  darkness  to 
the  three  captives.  The  camp  was  astir  at  dawn, 
and  the  sound  of  voices  and  din  of  preparation 
for  the  day's  festivities  smote  ominously  upon 
their  ears.  Food  was  served  to  each  at  breakfast 
time.  They  were  not  disturbed  during  the  morn 
ing.  After  noon  they  were  summoned  to  the 
beginning  of  the  Saturnalia  of  bestial  cruelty. 

In  an  open  place  in  the  centre  of  the  town 
were  gathered  the  Indians,  who  ranged  themselves 
in  an  elongated  circle,  down  the  centre  of  which 
were  piled  at  intervals  seven  brush  heaps  ready 


Wherein  a  Battle  is  Fought         291 

for  lighting.  Equidistant  from  each  end  a  small 
scaffold  some  six  feet  from  the  ground  had  been 
built.  On  one  of  them  Miron  had  reserved  a 
seat,  one  on  each  side  of  himself  for  Renee  and 
Tonti,  so  situated  that  they  would  be  witnesses 
of  the  ensuing  scene.  He  greeted  them  with  a 
sardonic  smile,  and  wished  them  all  manner  of 
pleasure  during  the  coming  hours.  Tonti's  hands 
were  securely  bound,  but  his  feet  were  free. 

They  were  scarcely  settled  when  an  opening  in 
the  throng  on  the  opposite  side  was  made  and 
through  it  Akiesko  was  led,  with  every  mark  of 
respect  and  attention  from  those  attending  him. 
His  escort  consisted  of  some  thirty  or  forty  of 
the  young  men  of  the  tribe,  who  advanced  singing 
and  dancing.  The  prisoner  strode  along  haught 
ily  in  their  midst,  clad  in  a  magnificent  beaver 
robe,  with  a  string  of  polished  multicolored  shells 
about  his  neck  and  a  smaller  one  placed  like  a 
wreath  or  crown  about  his  head.  He  was  greeted 
by  a  friendly  shout  from  the  waiting  crowd. 
The  procession  marched  about  the  edges  of  the 
throng,  so  that  all  could  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
condemned.  Finally  they  conducted  him  to  a 
log  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  open  space  and  he 
was  seated.  Food  was  set  before  him,  sagamite, 
squashes,  venison,  and  fruit.  As  his  wrists  were 
bound,  one  of  the  chief  men  was  deputed  to  feed 
him. 


292  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Here,  my  nephew,"  he  said  gravely  and  in 
the  kindest  tones,  "  eat  of  this  food  your  friends 
have  prepared  for  you.  It  will  give  you  strength. 
Eat  and  have  no  fear,  for  no  one  is  doing  you 
any  harm.  Behold  thyself  now  among  thy  kin 
dred  and  thy  friends." 

When  this  portion  of  the  repast  was  finished, 
a  dog  which  had  been  placed  in  a  kettle  near 
by  and  boiled,  was  produced,  and  being  cut  into 
pieces  of  convenient  size,  was  presented  to  the 
prisoner  to  taste.  Upon  his  having  done  so  the 
remains  of  his  feast  were  removed.  His  hands 
were  loosed  and  he  was  invited  to  sing.  A  hush 
fell  upon  the  multitude  as  he  arose  to  give  utter 
ance  to  his  death-song.  Straight  and  firm  he 
stood  with  outstretched  arms,  from  which  the 
folds  of  beaver  skin  fell  in  graceful  lines.  His 
head  was  proudly  raised,  his  eyes  looking  above 
the  crowd  eastward  toward  the  land  of  his  birth. 
His  voice,  now  quavering  in  a  strange,  weird 
minor  cadence,  rising  and  falling,  lingering  on 
the  words  with  a  pathetic  tenderness,  now  full 
and  strong  in  sonorous  monotone,  rapidly  de 
livered,  penetrated  to  the  farthest  ranks  of  his 
foes. 

"  I  see  afar  the  wigwams  of  my  people.  The 
smoke  rises  from  a  thousand  camp-fires  and 
the  woods  are  filled  with  the  countless  moccasin 
prints  of  the  hunters.  They  creep  here  and  there 


Wherein  a  Battle  is  Fought         293 

through  the  forests.  The  deer  and  bear  fall  in 
multitudes  before  them.  Where  are  the  waters 
dark  with  fish  but  yesterday  ?  The  streams  are 
there,  but  the  fish  have  gone,  for  the  Mohegans 
have  passed  by  and  taken  them  all.  There  are 
no  hunters  like  them  anywhere.  All  other  na 
tions  are  but  as  children  whom  they  have  taught 
to  use  the  bow  and  spear.  Were  they  to  leave 
their  own  country,  all  the  rest  of  the  world  would 
starve,  for  there  would  be  no  game  left.  The  sun 
here  is  dim,  but  there  it  is  always  bright,  for  my 
people  do  no  evil  and  the  sunlight  never  fails 
them.  The  wind  blows  fresh  and  bends  the  tops 
of  the  waving  maize  fields,  for  there  the  harvests 
are  ever  full.  The  Iroquois  plants  his  seed  and 
but  one  appears.  The  Mohegan  drops  his  into 
the  ground  and  lo  !  a  thousand  sprout  from  one. 
I  see  the  Council  fires  ablaze,  and  around  them 
sit  the  wisest  of  all  men.  To  their  feet  come  the 
chiefs  of  other  nations  and  crouch,  waiting  to  hear 
the  wisdom  that  falls  from  their  lips.  There  is 
the  source  of  all  knowledge  and  cunning;  that 
of  all  other  people  is  but  foolishness.  Above 
their  heads  hang  the  scalp-locks  of  their  enemies, 
thick  as  the  leaves  of  the  forest  in  summer,  for 
there  are  none  so  brave  as  they,  the  sound  of 
whose  name  makes  their  enemies  to  tremble  and 
be  afraid." 

Thus  sang  the  helpless  prisoner,  boasting  in 


294  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

the  presence  of  his  foes  of  the  prowess  of  his 
tribe.  As  his  song  progressed,  his  body  swayed 
to  the  rhythm  of  his  voice.  Soon  he  moved  in 
stately  measure  to  and  fro,  as  he  described  the 
delights  of  his  own  country,  the  pleasures  of  his 
own  people.  Then  the  theme  was  changed,  the 
steps  were  quickened,  and  the  words  flowed  faster 
as  the  deeds  of  the  mighty  warriors  were  re 
hearsed  and  his  own  achievements  were  boastfully 
proclaimed. 

"  But  among  them  one  place  is  empty.  It  is 
that  of  Akiesko,  the  greatest  sachem  of  them  all. 
*  Where  is  Akiesko,  our  brother?'  they  ask  of 
one  another.  £  There  is  none  so  brave  or  wise  as 
he.'  c  He  is  gone,'  says  one,  '  to  the  wilderness 
where  live  the  ignorant  Iroquois.  He  has  taken 
pity  on  their  blindness  and  will  teach  them  many 
things.  They  cannot  hunt;  they  cannot  fish; 
they  are  but  squaws  fit  only  to  sit  and  pound  the 
maize  between  two  stones.  He  will  show  them 
how  to  live.  They  have  no  courage.  At  the 
barking  of  a  wolf  they  run;  the  sound  of  an  owl 
at  night  causes  them  to  tremble.' ' 

The  movements  of  the  singer  became  more 
rapid  and  he  passed  gradually  around  the  open 
space.  One  by  one  the  fires  were  lighted,  and 
each  of  the  surrounding  crowd  armed  himself 
with  a  piece  of  bark;  lighting  one  end  of  this, 
they  waited.  The  motion  of  his  dance  gradually 


Wherein  a  Battle  is  Fought         295 

loosened  the  robe  around  the  prisoner,  which  he 
allowed  to  slip  off  and  he  continued  his  steps 
naked.  As  he  passed  along,  the  waiting  blazing 
bits  of  bark  in  the  hands  of  his  tormentors  were 
applied  to  his  back,  his  arms,  and  his  legs,  inflict 
ing  painful  burns.  The  victim  did  not  wince,  but 
went  on  faster  and  faster,  never  stopping  his  song 
for  an  instant. 

"  Akiesko  will  show  the  poor  Iroquois  how  to 
live.  He  will  also  show  them  how  to  die.  They 
will  drink  of  his  blood  ;  and  their  own,  which  is 
only  water,  will  become  thick  and  red.  They 
will  eat  his  heart  and  it  will  make  them  men  ; 
they  will  be  squaws  and  children  no  longer,  but 
will  become  warriors.  My  brothers,  Akiesko  is 
going  to  die.  Amuse  yourselves  boldly  around 
him  ;  he  fears  neither  tortures  nor  death." 

The  dance  became  faster  and  more  furious. 
A  growing  excitement  moved  the  throng,  a  shout 
of  delight  went  up  as  one  buck  ran  behind  the 
prisoner,  and  pressed  against  his  back  the  red- 
hot  head  of  an  axe  ;  the  sight  of  the  smoke  aris 
ing  from  the  burning  flesh  and  the  odor  that 
was  wafted  to  their  nostrils  served  further  to 
stimulate  the  minds  of  the  onlookers.  Renee 
shuddered  and  closed  her  eyes.  Miron  noticed 
it,  and,  turning  to  Tonti,  said  loud  enough  for 
her  to  hear,  "  Is  your  seat  comfortable,  M. 
Tonti?  If  not,  I  have  provided  another  for 


296  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

your  use  to-morrow.  It  is  a  pointed  stake.  I 
fear  it  would  be  tiresome  standing  out  there  on 
your  feet  the  whole  time,  as  your  Mohegan 
friend  is  doing."  Tonti  disdained  to  reply,  but 
strove  to  convey  by  a  look  to  Akiesko  his  feel 
ings  of  sympathy  for  his  sufferings  and  commen 
dation  for  his  bravery. 

Gradually  the  lust  for  cruelty  in  the  savage 
breasts  broke  beyond  restraint.  Now  one  rushes 
towards  the  dancing  figure  and,  seizing  his  hand, 
tears  loose  a  finger-nail ;  another  coming  from 
behind  cuts  his  flesh  ;  still  another  thrusts  a  pine 
splinter  into  his  shoulder  and  lights  it.  Cries  of 
exultation  are  heard  on  all  sides.  Above  it  all, 
clear,  but  with  waning  strength,  comes  the  taunt 
ing  voice : 

"  The  Iroquois  are  squaws  who  shudder  at  the 
sight  of  blood.  They  are  but  children  at  the 
torture.  They  cannot  cause  a  Mohegan  pain." 

Wilder  and  wilder  goes  the  dance,  louder  and 
yet  more  loud  rise  the  hoarse  triumphing  cries 
of  the  fiendish  persecutors.  At  length  the 
prisoner's  vigor  shows  signs  of  exhaustion.  He 
stumbles  and  falls,  but  is  up  again  with  a  louder 
tone  to  his  voice  and  a  more  agile  movement 
than  before.  His  face  is  now  no  longer  recog 
nizable.  Long  thorns  have  been  thrust  through 
his  cheeks  and  forehead,  and  masses  of  clotted 
blood  hang  from  his  eyebrows.  The  flesh  of 


Wherein  a  Battle  is  Fought         297 

his  body  drops  in  torn  shreds.  The  surface  is 
covered  with  an  oozing  stream  of  blood.  At 
length  he  staggers  and  falls  fainting.  His  tor 
mentors  seize  him  and  lay  him  upon  the  hot 
ashes  of  one  of  the  fires ;  the  pain  revives  him 
and  he  jumps  up  and  passes  on.  Again  he  falls. 
This  time  they  pour  fresh  water  over  his  burns 
and  wounds  and  give  it  to  him  to  drink.  The 
refreshing  coolness  recalls  him  once  more  to  life 
and  misery.  He  is  dragged  up  the  steps  of  the 
scaffold  and  made  to  stand  erect,  his  arms  stretched 
over  and  fastened  to  a  cross-piece,  thus  suspending 
him  so  as  to  throw  his  weight  upon  his  wrists. 

Pandemonium  is  let  loose.  The  crowd  of 
yelping,  screeching  demons  surrounds  the  scaf 
folding.  He  gazes  at  them  and  a  smile  breaks 
on  his  lips,  as  with  eyes  glaring  with  hatred  he 
reviles  and  mocks  them. 

"  Dogs  of  Iroquois,  why  do  you  not  make  me 
cry  out  with  pain,  like  one  of  you  would  do  if  a 
bee  stung  him  ?  It  is  because  I  am  a  Mohegan 
chief,  brave  and  without  fear." 

Heated  stones  are  now  placed  beneath  the 
soles  of  his  feet;  one  stands  above  and  slowly 
pours  boiling  water  over  his  head ;  another  now 
approaches  and  empties  a  gourd  full  of  the  scald 
ing  stuff  down  his  throat.  A  red-hot  iron  is 
passed  into  each  eye,  burning  the  socket  empty. 
A  young  buck  climbs  upon  the  cross-beam  and 


298  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

deftly  scalps  him,  holding  up  the  gory  trophy  to 
the  shrieking  throng  below.  Suddenly  a  silence. 
The  end  is  near.  Every  human  voice  is  stopped, 
and  only  the  repressed  breathing  of  the  infuriated 
mob  is  heard.  Sightless,  quivering  in  awful 
agony,  the  prisoner's  undaunted  will  summons 
his  remaining  strength  for  one  last  defiance. 
"Cowards!  Dogs!"  he  gasps,  and  in  the  tone 
issuing  from  scorched  and  lacerated  lips,  one  per 
ceives  the  intensity  of  scorn  and  hatred  felt.  His 
head  droops ;  a  shiver  runs  through  his  frame. 
At  this  signal  a  chief  leaps  forward  with  flashing 
knife  and  with  quick  stroke  lays  bare  the  still 
feebly  palpitating  heart,  removes  it,  and  tosses  it 
to  the  waiting  braves,  who  quickly  cut  it  into  tiny 
pieces  and  devour  it  raw,  believing  that  thereby 
they  each  may  acquire  some  of  the  bravery  of  the 
dead  prisoner.  Another  cuts  down  the  body 
and  half  a  dozen  quickly  sever  arms  and  feet  and 
legs,  throwing  these  members  into  the  waiting 
boiling  kettles,  to  be  devoured  later  by  the  whole 
tribe.  The  head  is  cut  off  and  brought,  a  shape 
less,  blood-stained  mass,  and  laid  at  the  feet  of 
Miron. 

Tonti,  sickened  at  the  fearful  sight,  turned  his 
head  away  and  looked  towards  Renee.  Her 
woman's  nature  had  mercifully  asserted  itself. 
She  had  fainted. 


Chapter   Twenty-Two 

SHOWING   HOW  MIRON   HELD   A  GOOD   HAND, 
BUT  POMPON  PLAYED  THE  ACE  OF  TRUMPS 

THE  captives  were  led  back  to  their  re 
spective  prisons  after  this  sickening' 
scene  of  barbarity,  and  soon  a  silence 
fell  upon  the  camp  as  though  the  inhabitants  were 
fatigued  by  the  excitement  of  the  day  and  had 
sought  repose.  Renee  had  nerved  herself  to  wit 
ness  the  horrible  spectacle  and  had  borne  herself 
bravely  throughout  until  the  last,  but  when  she 
found  herself  once  more  alone  and  conscious,  a 
reaction  set  in  and  she  became  but  a  weak  and 
trembling  woman  after  all.  Tonti,  used  as  he 
was  to  the  scenes  of  carnage  of  civilized  warfare, 
could  not  repress  a  shudder  as  he  recalled  the 
recent  ordeal.  His  chief  anxiety  was  now  for 
Renee ;  for  himself  he  had  faced  danger  and  death 
too  many  times  to  experience  any  fear  at  their 
proximity  ;  he  would  sell  his  own  life  as  dearly  as 
possible,  and  promised  himself  that  more  than 
one  recruit  for  the  happy  hunting-grounds  would 
be  started  on  the  long  journey  thither  before  they 

299 


300  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

^would  have  him  lashed  to  the  stake.  He  realized 
that  neither  of  them  could  hope  anything  from 
the  mercy  of  the  Comte.  Their  only  chance 
would  be  through  the  opportune  arrival  in  the 
camp  of  some  party  sent  out  from  Fort  Niagara 
in  search  of  them.  This  was,  however,  hardly 
possible,  as  any  such  expedition  would  naturally 
follow  along  the  shore  of  the  lake  even  as  far  as 
Fort  Frontenac,  before  they  would  turn  back  or 
think  of  visiting  any  of  the  Indian  tribes.  To 
be  sure,  Pompon  had  signalled  to  him  before  they 
arrived  at  the  camp  that  he  would  effect  a  rescue, 
but  he  would  not  have  had  the  time  to  procure 
assistance  and  there  was  but  little  reliance  to  be 
placed  on  his  ability  to  achieve  anything  alone. 
The  Comte  would  not  allow  his  people  to  be 
deceived  by  any  tricks  that  he  would  play,  as  had 
happened  at  the  time  of  their  Huron  captivity, 
and,  aside  from  some  such  measure,  Tonti  feared 
that  for  once  the  little  fellow's  wit  would  be 
lacking. 

It  was  while  absorbed  in  these  disconsolate 
thoughts  that  his  quick  ear  caught  the  sound  of 
some  small  object  striking  against  the  bark  cover 
ing  of  his  lodge.  He  listened.  Again  it  came 
and  yet  again  ;  then  it  ceased,  but  soon  recom 
menced.  Three  times  three  did  he  count,  and 
then  he  understood  it  was  a  signal  from  his  trusty 
friend,  probably  produced  by  lightly  tapping  with 


Pompon  Plays  the  Ace  301 

some  hard  substance  against  the  exterior.  He 
repaired  to  the  back  wall  from  whence  the  sound 
came,  and  placing  his  lips  close  to  it  he  gave  a 
slight  cough.  He  then  heard  a  low  whisper: 

"  It  is  I,  Pompon.  Go  to  your  door  and  see 
if  the  guard  is  awake,  and  make  no  noise." 

Tonti  did  as  he  was  bid,  and  peeping  out  saw 
the  sentinel  seated  before  his  prison  asleep,  but  in 
such  a  position  that  it  would  be  impossible  for 
any  one  to  either  enter  or  leave  the  place  without 
arousing  him.  Tonti  reported  the  fact  to  Pom 
pon,  who  replied : 

"  It  is  well.  I  will  cut  a  hole  in  the  saplings 
wide  enough  to  pass  you  a  knife.  You  can  then 
work  from  the  inside  to  enlarge  the  opening 
while  I  am  employed  out  here.  Madame  Bizard 
is  assisting  Mademoiselle  at  this  moment.  Make 
haste." 

Soon  Tonti  heard  a  strip  of  bark  cautiously 
give  way,  and  ere  long  an  opening  large  enough 
to  admit  a  hand  was  made.  Through  this  Pom 
pon  passed  a  knife.  "  Work  diligently,  but 
noiselessly,  won  Capitaine"  he  urged,  "  and  we 
will  soon  have  you  freed." 

Tonti  turned  to  with  a  will,  and  between  them 
they  soon  had,  by  dint  of  cutting  and  pulling  at 
the  interlacing  branches,  an  aperture  formed, 
through  which  Tonti  squeezed  himself.  He 
seized  Pompon's  hand  in  silent  pressure,  and  the 


302  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

two  stood  with  straining  ears,  fearful  lest  the 
noise  they  had  been  compelled  to  make  had  been 
heard.  There  was  no  evidence  of  this,  and  they 
both  tiptoed  to  the  back  of  the  lodge  in  which 
Renee  was  confined  and  assisted  Madame  Bizard 
in  her  similar  endeavors.  Pompon  in  some  un 
accountable  way  had  placed  himself  in  communi 
cation  with  this  poor  creature,  who,  true  to  her 
resolve  to  aid,  had  entered  heartily  into  his  plan. 
She  had  seen  to  it  that  the  guard  at  Renee's  door 
received  a  sleeping  potion  that  Pompon  had  pre 
pared  out  of  the  contents  of  his  indispensable 
pouch,  and  was  thus  able  to  enter  without  detec 
tion,  stepping  lightly  over  the  sentinel's  recum^ 
bent  figure.  Their  work  was  finally  accomplished, 
and  Renee  was  assisted  through  the  opening  and 
was  followed  by  Madame  Bizard. 

As  has  been  said,  the  village  was  built  upon 
a  plateau  overlooking  the  lake.  The  houses  in 
which  the  prisoners  had  been  confined  were 
erected  within  a  few  feet  of  the  edge  of  this 
plateau,  which  ended  in  a  sheer  precipice  some 
fifty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  As  assist 
ance  and  escape  were  deemed  impossible  from  this 
direction,  no  attempt  had  been  made  to  guard  the 
rear  of  the  lodges.  As  the  little  party  stood 
together,  Tonti  was  puzzled  as  to  their  next  step. 
Before  he  could  say  anything,  Pompon  explained 
the  situation  to  them. 


Pompon  Plays  the  Ace  303 

"  I  have  not  been  idle  the  past  two  days.  I 
saw  the  only  avenue  of  escape  and  have  prepared 
for  it.  I  have  succeeded  in  twisting  together  a 
number  of  strands  of  grape-vine  long  enough  to 
reach  to  the  bottom,  and  while  the  noise  of  the 
feast  was  in  progress  I  managed  to  scramble  up 
the  face  of  the  cliff  with  one  end  of  the  rope  in 
my  teeth.  I  have  fastened  it  securely  about  the 
trunk  of  this  tree.  After  we  have  descended 
Madame  Bizard  will  cast  it  loose,  and  it  will  delay 
them  in  rinding  out  the  direction  we  have  taken. 
I  have  captured  a  canoe,  which  we  will  find  on  the 
shore  below,  in  which  we  can  gain  the  other  end 
of  the  lake  six  miles  away  before  our  escape  is 
discovered." 

The  preparations  were  now  made  to  descend. 
Renee  kissed  Madame  Bizard  on  each  cheek  in 
token  of  her  gratitude,  while  Tonti  expressed  his 
thanks  in  whispers.  They  both  urged  her  to  flee 
with  them  and  thus  elude  the  clutches  of  the 
Comte  forever,  Tonti  offering  to  place  her  under 
the  protection  of  the  next  party  going  from 
Fort  Niagara  to  Quebec,  thus  enabling  her  to 
reach  a  place  of  safety,  and  affording  her  an  op 
portunity  to  seek  her  husband's  forgiveness  and 
make  amends  for  her  past  misconduct.  She 
shook  her  head  sadly. 

"Alas!  no,"  she  said,  "  it  is  too  late.  The 
Comte  would  reach  me  with  his  vengeance  sooner 


304  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

or  later,  while  if  I  remain  here  the  end  will  come 
all  the  sooner." 

Finding  her  immovable  in  her  determination, 
her  companions  again  bade  her  farewell  and  turned 
their  attention  to  their  own  escape.  Pompon  let 
himself  over  the  edge  first  in  order  to  steady  the 
rope  from  the  bottom  for  Tonti  and  Renee  in 
their  descent.  The  hour  was  long  past  midnight 
and  the  late  moon  had  already  risen,  making  the 
spot  on  which  they  stood  a  dangerous  one.  Tonti 
therefore,  with  Renee  clinging  to  his  back,  began 
the  descent.  The  bottom  as  well  as  the  side  of 
the  cliff  was  enshrouded  in  deep  shadow  and  he 
was  obliged  to  rely  upon  the  shaking  of  the  rope 
as  a  signal  that  Pompon  had  reached  the  bottom 
and  was  ready  for  their  downward  journey. 

Slowly  they  went,  his  strength  taxed  by  the 
additional  weight  of  his  sweet  burden,  while  his 
every  nerve  was  on  a  tension  for  fear  of  discovery 
before  they  reached  the  ground.  Madame  Bizard 
leaned  over  the  brink,  watching  them  as  they  dis 
appeared  in  the  shadows.  Suddenly  Tonti  felt  a 
thrill  as  of  some  one  shaking  the  rope.  Look 
ing  up,  he  saw  Madame  Bizard  making  warning 
gestures  and  then  suddenly  disappearing.  He 
remained  perfectly  still,  clinging  to  the  vine. 
Soon  he  perceived  the  approach  of  another  figure 
near  the  edge  and  he  beheld  the  form  of  the 
Comte  de  Miron  standing  leaning  against  the  tree 


Pompon  Plays  the  Ace  305 

around  which  their  rope  was  fastened  and  looking 
over  the  lake.  Full  in  the  moonlight  he  stood, 
visible  to  those  below  him,  who  were  hidden  from 
his  view  by  the  protecting  shade.  His  rest  had 
been  evidently  disturbed  by  the  thoughts  of  the 
near  approach  to  the  consummation  of  his  desires, 
the  humiliation  of  his  enemy,  and  the  winning 
of  her  whose  possession  he  had  long  wished 
for. 

Tonti  braced  himself  against  the  cliff-wall  and 
scarcely  breathed  for  fear  of  imparting  motion  to 
the  rope  and  causing  some  sound  above  that 
would  betray  them.  Relief  soon  came,  for  the 
image  of  his  foe  vanished  and  in  a  moment  the 
head  of  Madame  Bizard  showed  itself  again, 
motioning  him  to  proceed.  He  did  so  hastily, 
as  the  strain  on  his  arm  was  terrific.  They  had 
reached  a  point  a  couple  of  yards  from  the  bottom 
when  Renee,  who  had  seen  all  that  transpired, 
suddenly  relaxed  her  hold,  unable  to  maintain  it 
any  longer,  and  dropped.  She  struck  against  Pom 
pon's  shoulder,  glancing  off  and  falling  lightly  to 
the  ground.  A  cry  of  suppressed  pain  came 
from  her  lips,  however,  for  one  foot  had  turned 
upon  a  stone  and  wrenched  her  ankle.  Tonti 
hurriedly  raised  her  and  helped  her  into  the  canoe 
which  was  waiting  a  few  feet  away.  Madame 
Bizard  then  threw  off  the  coil  of  rope  about  the 
trunk  and  waved  her  last  farewell.  It  was  in- 

20 


306  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

deed  her  last,  for  when  the  escape  of  the  prisoners 
was  discovered,  she  was  suspected,  and  fell  before 
a  blow  from  her  infuriated  paramour.  Thus  did 
she  give  her  life  as  the  penalty  for  attempting  to 
atone  by  one  good  deed  for  the  wretched  frailty 
of  her  past. 

Pompon  seized  the  grape-vine  rope  and  stowed 
it  away  in  the  canoe  in  order  to  leave  no  trace 
behind  of  their  flight,  and  jumping  aboard,  they 
were  once  more  afloat.  At  first  they  paddled 
cautiously  through  the  shade  at  the  water's  edge 
until  they  were  out  of  sight  of  the  Indian  camp. 
Then  they  struck  boldly  out,  making  the  boat 
fairly  fly  over  the  water  in  their  haste  to  place  as 
great  distance  as  possible  between  themselves  and 
their  pursuers.  A  strict  silence  was  maintained, 
broken  only  once  by  Renee,  who  applauded  Pom 
pon  for  the  ingenuity  and  boldness  of  his  plan. 
He  was  gratified  at  her  praise,  and  replied  : 

"  M. a  foil  Mademoiselle,  there  was  no  other 
way.  If  a  man  does  not  enter  a  tiger's  den  he 
cannot  get  her  cubs." 

Just  as  the  first  pink  tinges  of  the  coming  day 
appeared  in  the  east  they  reached  the  upper  end 
of  the  lake.  Here  they  landed,  and  after  placing 
several  huge  stones  in  the  canoe,  Pompon  cut  a 
hole  in  its  side,  and  giving  it  a  shove  sent  it  out 
into  the  lake  and  watched  it  slowly  sink,  mur 
muring  : 


Pompon  Plays  the  Ace  307 

"  A  sad  way  to  treat  a  friend  who  has  aided 

» 
you. 

He  then  produced  a  small  stock  of  provisions 
that  Madame  Bizard  had  hastily  gathered  and 
given  him.  This  consisted  of  a  piece  of  smoked 
meat  and  some  ground  maize.  A  portion  of  this 
sufficed  for  their  breakfast.  They  were  about  to 
start  on  their  journey  again  when  it  was  found 
that  Renee's  ankle,  which  had  swollen  visibly 
during  their  passage  over  the  lake,  pained  her  so 
severely  when  she  touched  the  ground  with  her 
foot  that  she  was  unable  to  walk  a  step.  This 
was  a  grave  question,  for  every  moment  lost  at 
this  stage  of  their  progress  made  the  chances  of 
their  recapture  all  the  greater.  There  was  no 
time  to  devise  any  means  of  transport  for  her. 
One  thing  only  could  be  done.  Tonti  arose  to 
the  occasion. 

"Mademoiselle,"  he  said  apologetically,  "re 
member  that  all  our  lives  are  in  danger,  and  that 
this  is  no  time  to  consult  your  preferences.  You 
must  proceed.  You  cannot  walk;  permit  me  to 
walk  for  you." 

"  How  ?  "  queried  Renee  in  a  puzzled  tone. 

"Mafoi!   I  must  carry  you." 

He  had  expected  an  outbreak  at  this  propo 
sal,  or  at  least  a  strong  resistance,  but  she  only 
flushed,  and,  looking  down,  said  : 

"  You  are  the  commander  of  this  forlorn  hope, 


308  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

Capitaine  Tonti.  If  there  is  no  other  way,  I  sup 
pose  I  must  be  obedient." 

Thus  they  started  off,  Pompon  in  the  lead, 
with  Tonti  bearing  Renee  in  his  arms  close 
behind.  At  first  her  cheeks  were  a  mass  of 
flame  and  her  head  was  well  averted.  But  grad 
ually  the  pressure  of  the  great  strong,  protecting 
arms  about  her  brought  to  her  mind  a  sense  of 
infinite  relief  and  restfulness,  while  the  tact  and 
consideration  for  her  embarrassment  won  for  him 
her  deepest  thanks.  Thus  it  was  that  she  strove 
to  make  the  burden  lighter  and  the  way  less 
tedious  by  her  cheerful  words  and  bright  smile. 

For  Tonti  it  was  exquisite  torture.  He  knew 
that  it  but  needed  a  word  from  him  and  the  tired 
head  would  rest  upon  his  shoulder  once  for  all ; 
that  the  recital  of  his  love  would  bring  a  like 
sweet  confession.  But  he  steeled  his  heart  as  he 
thought  of  his  friend  waiting  for  him  so  many 
leagues  distant,  who,  knowing  all  other  men  to  be 
false,  held  faith  in  his  constancy  and  loyalty. 
Thus  he  fought  the  two  battles  daily,  hourly : 
the  outer  one  against  the  physical  fatigue  and 
hardships  of  the  journey  ;  the  inner  and  greater 
task,  the  unrelenting  conflict  of  a  man  struggling 
against  himself. 

The  first  night  they  encamped  on  the  mossy 
banks  of  a  bubbling  spring,  cold  and  clear,  that, 
overflowing  its  bounds,  trickled  off  and  dis- 


Pompon  Plays  the  Ace  309 

appeared  among  the  trees.  Tonti,  on  returning 
from  an  exploring  expedition  in  the  neighbor 
hood,  found  that  Pompon  had  prescribed  the 
application  of  the  cooling  water  to  the  inflamed 
ankle  and  had  employed  a  little  of  the  yellow 
salve  possessed  of  wonderful  curative  powers  that 
he  always  carried  with  him. 

The  next  morning,  after  a  meal  that  still  further 
diminished  their  stock  of  food,  and  a  refreshing 
draught  at  the  spring,  they  resumed  their  march. 
They  were  headed  in  a  westerly  direction  that 
would  eventually  bring  them  to  the  Niagara 
River.  It  would  then  be  easy  by  following  its 
course  to  reach  the  fort.  Naturally,  Tonti  made 
but  slow  progress,  handicapped  as  he  was  with 
the  double  load.  The  second  day  ended  without 
any  signs  of  pursuit,  so  that  they  began  to  feel 
easy  in  regard  to  that  point.  But  an  equally 
serious  danger  presented  itself.  Their  food  was 
almost  exhausted  and  they  had  no  means  of 
obtaining  more.  A  few  berries  here  and  there 
were  all  that  they  had  been  able  to  find.  Pompon 
had  made  numerous  efforts  to  kill  a  bird  or  rabbit, 
but  without  success.  They  struggled  bravely  on. 
At  length  after  two  days  had  passed  without  their 
having  had  a  morsel  with  which  to  renew  their 
strength,  Pompon  resolved  on  desperate  measures. 
They  were  still  so  far  from  their  destination  that 
at  their  present  progress  it  would  take  a  week 


310  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

before  arriving  there.  But  Pompon  knew  that  it 
would  take  longer  still,  for  he  had  watched  the 
increased  efforts  made  by  Tonti  to  cover  the 
accustomed  distance  ;  had  seen  his  feet  falter,  and 
tottering  take  the  place  of  the  firmness  of  stride 
and  spring  of  step  that  existed  at  first.  He 
thought  carefully,  and  finally  announced  that  he 
had  found  a  means  of  providing  them  with  food 
on  the  morrow. 

"Wait  until  morning  and  I  promise  you  both 
shall  have  something  to  eat." 

In  the  morning,  when  Tonti  arose,  Pompon 
was  nowhere  to  be  found.  On  a  strip  of  bark 
beside  the  spring  was  a  quantity  of  pounded 
maize  and  a  tiny  piece  of  smoked  meat.  Tonti 
understood  it.  Pompon  had  secreted  a  portion 
of  his  food  each  day  and  saved  it  for  some  such 
emergency.  His  disappearance  he  readily  in 
terpreted  as  an  effort  to  advance  at  a  more  rapid 
rate  than  was  possible  with  the  others  and  secure 
assistance. 

Renee  exclaimed  at  Pompon's  forethought,  and 
made  Tonti  eat  the  larger  share.  They  pro 
ceeded  together  as  best  they  could  the  next  two 
days.  At  length  Tonti,  completely  worn  out, 
awakened  to  find  himself  so  weak  and  giddy  that 
he  could  not  rise.  There  was  but  one  thing  to 
do  ;  they  would  have  to  await  the  result  of  Pom 
pon's  errand.  If  he  himself  were  to  fall  by  the 


Pompon  Plays  the  Ace  311 

way  they  could  at  least  die  together.  Two  days 
more  passed.  The  two  lovers,  their  hearts  filled 
with  the  calm  joy  of  a  known  but  untold  love, 
watched  the  evening  shadows  descend  almost  with 
the  fear  that  the  morrow  might  bring  the  aid  that 
would  at  once  save  them  and  banish  forever  the 
sweet  season  of  companionship  that  had  been 
theirs.  Tonti  awakened  before  dawn.  The  thou 
sand  confused  voices  of  the  night  were  hushed 
as  if  in  expectant  waiting  of  the  coming  day. 
Far  off  he  heard  the  quavering  call  of  a  night- 
bird,  that  he  recognized  as  the  voice  of  Pompon. 
Nearer  and  nearer  it  approached.  He  answered 
it ;  again  it  came  louder  and  clearer  than  before ; 
and  just  as  the  sun's  first  ray  touched  the  tops 
of  the  trees  surrounding  the  little  hollow  in 
which  they  lay,  a  crashing  sound  was  heard  and 
a  dozen  soldiers,  headed  by  the  figure  of  their 
faithful  little  friend,  appeared,  bearing  them  aid 
and  sustenance. 


Chapter  Twenty- Three 

CONTAINS  SOME  HAPPINESS,  A  COMPACT, 
A  VISION,  AND  A  CALAMITY 

A  "RIVING  at  Fort  Niagara,  Renee  was 
turned  over  to  the  three  nuns  stationed 
there.  They  sympathized  with  her  in 
her  hardships  and  gave  devout  thanks  for  her 
escape.  One  of  them  was  filled  with  zeal  to 
take  the  place  of  her  who  was  drowned  on  the 
trip,  and,  much  to  Renee's  delight,  obtained  per 
mission  to  leave  for  Michilimackinac  when  the 
vessel  started.  A  week  was  lost  perfecting  all 
arrangements.  At  the  end  of  this  time  both 
Tonti  and  Renee  were  ready  to  proceed,  al 
though  the  latter  was  still  unable  to  walk  with 
out  support.  The  men  with  the  stores  had 
transported  them  from  their  boat,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  to  the  fort.  Tonti  chose  two  ves 
sels,  the  larger  one  for  these  supplies  and  the 
men  conveying  them,  the  other,  smaller,  for  the 
use  of  his  party,  which  was  now  increased  by 
the  addition  of  one  of  the  priests  from  Fort 
Frontenac  who  decided  to  take  advantage  of 
this  opportunity  to  push  on  his  way  westward. 

312 


A  Compact  and  a  Calamity         3 1  3 

The  tiny  cabin  was  fitted  up  for  the  two  women 
so  as  to  be  as  comfortable  as  possible.  A  plenti 
ful  supply  of  provisions  was  taken,  although  for 
fresh  meat  they  depended  on  the  success  of  their 
hunts  on  shore.  The  larger  boat  started  first, 
with  orders  to  stop  at  Michilimackinac  only 
long  enough  to  apprise  them  of  the  coming  of 
the  nurses  and  then  proceed  to  the  fort  on  the 
Miami,  there  to  build  a  sufficient  number  of 
canoes  while  awaiting  Tonti's  arrival. 

The  day  of  their  departure  was  auspicious.  A 
fair  wind  ruffled  the  deep  blue  surface  of  the 
lake;  the  sky  was  clear  and  the  summer  sun 
warmed  without  smiting  them.  Renee's  heart 
danced  in  unison  with  the  boat  for  sheer  happi 
ness.  Her  presence  was  a  delight  to  all  on 
board.  The  priest,  when  not  engaged  with  his 
breviary,  listened  with  pleasure  to  her  chatter, 
while  the  nun  soon  loved  her  as  her  own  sister. 
Even  Pompon  so  far  forgot  his  hostility  to  the 
sex  as  to  condescend  to  entertain  her  at  times 
with  tales  from  his  adventurous  life,  or  amuse 
her  by  exhibiting  the  contents  of  his  wonderful 
leather  pouch,  showing  the  phosphorous  paste 
that  had  stood  them  in  such  good  stead  dur 
ing  their  Huron  captivity,  the  sleeping  powder 
whose  power  the  innkeeper  at  Ecouen  and  the 
Iroquois  sentinel  had  tested,  and  the  yellow 
ointment  possessed  of  most  extraordinary  heal- 


314  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

ing  virtues  for  wounds  that  he  had  employed 
upon  her  ankle.  He  often  talked  to  her  about 
Tonti  and  found  in  her  a  willing  listener  to  all 
the  praises  of  his  hero  that  came  so  readily  to  his 
lips.  Thus  a  real  amity  sprang  up  between  them, 
which  was  finally  sealed  into  a  solemn  compact 
one  day  when  Tonti  lay  asleep  and  Pompon 
managed  the  boat.  He  had  been  dwelling  upon 
his  friend's  loyalty  to  himself  and  La  Salle  when 
Renee  said  musingly  : 

"Would  that  I  were  a  man  that  I  might  be 
come  a  fourth  comrade  to  you  all,  but  I  am  only 
a  woman,  weak  and  alone.  However,  I  can  still 
be  a  friend  if  my  friendship  is  worth  aught  to  any 
one.  Come,  M.  Pompon,"  she  said,  rousing  her 
self,  "  I  have  that  from  the  other  two.  May  I 
not  find  in  you  a  friend  and  ally  also  ?  " 

Pompon  looked  at  her  outstretched  hand 
gravely  for  a  moment.  "  It  is  not  a  light 
thing  you  ask.  False  friends  are  worse  than 
open  enemies.  I  will,  however,  on  one  con 
dition" —  here  he  looked  her  steadily  in  the 
eye  while  speaking  — "  that  condition  is  that 
you  be  a  true  friend  indeed  to  him,"  pointing  to 
the  slumbering  Tonti,  "  for  your  faithfulness 
means  all  in  all  to  him." 

"Agreed  with  all  my  heart,"  replied  Renee, 
flushing  lightly  as  she  clasped  his  hand.  Pom 
pon  saw  her  look,  and  a  gleam  of  satisfaction  shot 


A  Compact  and  a  Calamity        315 

across  his  face  as  he  heard  her  say  earnestly, 
"  And  you  will  promise  me  in  turn  to  be  ever 
faithful  to  him  ;  watch  over  and  protect  him ; 
guard  his  life  as  your  very  own  or  mine.  Be 
his  eye  to  recognize  danger  and  his  right  arm 
and  shield  to  ward  it  off.  Then  shall  you  win 
and  receive  my  best  esteem  and  regard." 

As  for  Tonti,  his  manner  betrayed  no  thought 
of  love  or  any  deeper  attachment  than  that  of 
friend  and  protector.  It  was  as  though  it  had 
been  given  him  to  bask  in  the  clear  fresh  light 
of  day  for  a  period  before  his  banishment  into 
eternal  night.  He  loved  to  hear  the  music  of 
her  voice  and  the  ringing  sweetness  of  her  laugh, 
and  sometimes  when  at  the  helm  and  she  came 
and  sat  down  beside  him,  silently  drinking  in  the 
invigorating  air,  it  seemed  to  him  as  though  they 
were  voyaging  in  some  other  world,  a  world  of 
light  and  sunshine,  an  existence  whose  peace  and 
contentment  surpassed  that  of  human  dreams. 
Forgotten  was  the  past  of  toil  and  disorder,  while 
the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  had  vanished  with 
their  sound  of  war  and  conflict.  He  put  from  his 
mind  all  thought  of  the  future,  of  the  inevitable 
separation  brought  nearer  by  the  passing  of  every 
league  of  their  watery  course.  Content  he  was  to 
live  in  the  golden  present  and  enjoy  each  transient 
moment. 

The  past  two  years  had  worked  a  great  change 


316  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

in  Tonti.  He  was  no  longer  the  gay  soldier  of 
fortune,  seeking  in  the  battlefield  the  means  of 
livelihood  and  material  advancement,  unsettled  in 
purpose,  selling  the  service  of  his  sword  for  a 
sum  of  gold  and  a  promotion,  realizing  that  his 
life  was  probably  a  short,  and  hence  preferably,  a 
merry  one.  The  harsh  struggle  with  the  rugged 
forces  of  nature,  the  primeval  freshness  of  a  new 
country,  the  close  companionship  through  many 
dangers  with  a  soul  such  as  La  Salle's,  untar 
nished  with  the  commoner  littlenesses  of  the  man 
kind  he  had  hitherto  known,  and  vibrating  with 
the  devotion  of  a  noble  life  to  a  high  purpose, 
the  association  day  by  day  with  Renee,  whose 
being  unconsciously  revealed  its  manifold  com 
plexity  and  beauty  to  his  wondering  eyes,  —  all 
had  served  to  bring  about  an  inner  metamorpho 
sis  that  he  knew  not  of,  one  that  if  he  had  studied 
himself  carefully  he  would  not  have  been  able  to 
analyze.  Its  only  revelation  was  in  the  change 
of  thought  and  purpose  of  which  he  was  dimly 
conscious.  The  coarse  and  gross  qualities  of  the 
camp,  the  blighting  contaminations  of  the  court, 
all  that  tended  to  the  rearing  of  standards  un 
worthy  of  the  best  in  man  (that  tiny  kernel  of  the 
divine  implanted  first  within  their  hearts,  the 
stifling  or  cherishing  of  which  constitutes  the  sum 
of  human  responsibility)  had  slipped  from  him  as 
an  old  garment.  New  yearnings,  new  ends,  new 


A  Compact  and  a  Calamity         317 

ideals,  had  arisen  to  take  the  place  of  the  old. 
He  realized  that  a  field  of  glorious  opportunity 
was  his  ;  that  his  would  be  the  task  of  winning  a 
new  land,  fairer,  richer  than  the  old  ;  a  task  whose 
far-reaching  consequences  for  good  or  ill  were  im 
measurable.  On  the  proper,  loyal,  high-minded 
achievement  of  his  labor  might  depend  the  future 
greatness  of  a  nation.  The  exalted  passion  felt 
for  Renee  that,  unknown  to  him,  had  been  the 
main  source  of  the  great  changes  wrought  within, 
hopeless  as  it  was  as  to  its  desired  procurement, 
did  not  harden  him  with  despair.  It  rather 
spurred  him  on  in  the  invincible  resolve  to  live 
his  life,  whatever  it  might  be,  so  that  he  might 
remain  worthy  of  her  esteem.  This  it  was  that 
helped  him  to  resist  the  temptation  to  be  dis 
loyal  ;  to  thrust  from  his  thirsty  lips  the  draught 
he  could  not  taste  without  dishonor. 

At  length  the  propitious  winds  that  carried 
them  along  so  peacefully  brought  their  little  craft 
within  sight  of  the  distant  promontory  of  St. 
Ignace  of  Michilimackinac.  Here  they  disem 
barked  and  found  a  hearty  welcome.  The  small 
pox  epidemic  had  subsided,  but  there  were  nu 
merous  sick  and  wretched  ones  among  the  In 
dians  for  Renee  and  her  companion  to  assist  in 
tending. 

The  day  after  their  arrival  Tonti  busied  him 
self  in  making  certain  arrangements  for  the  storing 


3 1 8  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  forwarding  of  any  furs  that  might  be  sent 
by  him  or  La  Salle  from  the  country  of  the 
Illini. 

While  Tonti  was  thus  engaged,  an  Indian  boy 
came  to  him  from  Renee  begging  that  he  follow 
him  to  the  hut  of  an  aged  dying  Ottawa.  Tonti 
soon  entered  the  squalid  lodge  and  found  there  a 
priest,  Renee,  and  one  of  the  nuns. 

"  I  have  sent  for  you,"  whispered  Renee,  "  be 
cause  the  sick  man  has  called  incessantly,  ever 
since  he  was  told  of  your  arrival,  for  the  French 
Captain,  saying  that  he  had  a  message  for  you." 

Tonti  approached  the  heap  of  skins  that  served 
for  the  sufferer's  bed.  He  lay  in  a  stupor,  occa 
sionally  arousing  himself  so  far  as  to  utter  a 
moan  or  mutter  a  few  inarticulate  words.  The 
sound  of  Tonti's  voice  seemed  to  recall  him  to 
consciousness,  for  he  grasped  his  hand  and  spoke 
in  a  weak  yet  clear  tone. 

"The  French  brother  and  the  Black  Gowns 
have  been  my  friends.  I  will  tell  the  French 
Captain  what  I  see."  Then  closing  his  eyes,  he 
was  silent  a  moment  before  continuing.  "  I  see 
the  broad  fields  of  the  Illini.  I  hear  the  sound 
of  the  braves  returning  from  the  hunt,  the  shouts 
of  the  camp  and  the  feast.  I  look  to  the  rising 
sun  and  see  a  cloud.  It  grows  nearer  and  larger. 
It  takes  the  form  of  a  bear,  a  beaver,  and  a  hawk. 
It  passes  over  the  earth  and  there  is  nothing  left. 


A  Compact  and  a  Calamity         319 

The  maize  stalks  are  torn  and  withered.  The 
lodges  are  burned ;  a  thousand  scalps  are  drying 
in  the  air.  The  village  is  no  more.  I  see  four 
Frenchmen.  One  is  the  friend  of  the  great 
Onontio.  Another  is  a  Black  Gown.  They  flee 
before  the  cloud.  They  wander  alone ;  they  are 
in  need  of  food.  They  cry  for  help,  but  there  is 
none,  and  the  cloud  has  swept  all  away.  I  see  — 
I  see  — "  but  the  hand  relaxed  its  grasp,  the 
voice  sank  low  and  ceased,  a  convulsive  catching 
of  the  breath,  and  the  message  was  delivered ;  the 
messenger  had  gone. 

Renee  quickly  followed  Tonti  to  the  outer  air. 
"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  she  asked  anxiously,  as 
she  saw  a  look  of  perplexity  and  disquietude 
upon  his  face. 

"  I  know  not,  but  I  fear  much,"  was  the  reply. 
"  The  bear,  the  badger,  and  the  hawk  are  three 
of  the  most  powerful  clans  of  the  Iroquois.  It 
may  be  that  they  are  invading  the  Illini  or  have 
already  done  so.  In  either  case  I  must  hasten 
on  my  way.  Perhaps  my  arrival  may  save  some 
impending  disaster  to  La  Salle.  But  after  all, 
it  may  be  nothing  but  the  dying  delirium  of  an 
ignorant  savage.  Come,  Mademoiselle,  do  not 
be  alarmed,  I  shall  reach  there  in  time,  never 
fear,"  and  he  looked  reassuringly  into  Renee's 
troubled  face. 

She  was  strangely  agitated.     "  Ah,  mon  ami" 


320  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

she  cried,  "  do  not  go  until  you  learn  some  news 
of  what  has  happened.  La  Salle  may  be  dead 
and  you  will  but  arrive  to  fall  a  victim  too. 
Send  out  your  scouts  that  they  may  report  to 
you  what  they  learn.  They  can  bear  succor  if 
such  is  needed  as  well  as  you.  Or  if  you  will 
go,"  she  continued  pleadingly,  "  take  me  also. 
Let  us  all  go  together.  Is  it  not  my  duty  to  be 
where  there  may  be  wounds  to  heal  and  sickness 
to  relieve  ?  What  would  become  of  me  were  the 
Sieur  de  la  Salle  to  be  lost  and  you  meet  your 
death  in  a  vain  task  of  rescuing  him  ?  " 

A  great  wave  of  feeling  passed  over  Tonti. 
He  struggled  hard  to  retain  his  footing.  Why 
should  he  not  tell  her  now  how  much  it  meant 
to  him  that  she  should  not  expose  herself  to 
further  danger,  but  wait  for  his  return  ?  Tell 
her  all  the  full  story  of  his  love,  promising  that 
if  he  found  La  Salle  to  be  lost  he  would  quickly 
return  and  claim  her  for  his  own  ?  If  the  lower 
country  were  all  ablaze  with  savage  warfare  he 
could  hardly  hope  with  his  small  band  to  avail 
aught  in  defence  or  rescue  ;  annihilation  for  them 
all  would  be  certain.  Why  could  he  not  snatch 
a  few  moments  of  joy  before  plunging  into  the 
whirlpool  of  danger  and  woe  before  him  ?  But  as 
he  strove  against  himself  the  words  of  the  dying 
Indian  rang  clear  upon  his  ear  again,  "They  cry 
for  help,  but  there  is  none."  His  comrade,  still 


A  Compact  and  a  Calamity         321 

confiding  in  his  faithfulness,  turned  to  him  with 
a  cry  ;  even  in  his  last  extremity,  not  knowing 
where  his  lieutenant  might  be,  he  sought  his  aid. 
Should  he  fail  him  now  ? 

Renee  watched  the  struggle  through  tear- 
dimmed  eyes  and  saw  the  victory  won.  Seizing 
her  hand,  he  said  hurriedly : 

"  You  know  not  what  you  ask,  Mademoiselle. 
You  would  be  the  first  to  despise  me  were  I  to 
yield ; "  and  hastily  raising  her  hand  to  his  lips, 
he  strode  rapidly  away.  Renee  kissed  the  spot 
where  his  lips  had  been,  and,  sinking  to  the  ground, 
burst  into  tears  of  mingled  despair  and  joy. 

The  next  day  when  his  little  canoe  passed 
through  the  straits,  a  lone  figure  waved  adieu  from 
the  edge  of  the  highest  cliff  back  of  the  settlement, 
and  when  the  tiny  speck  had  disappeared  from 
view  repaired  to  the  chapel,  there  to  pray  for  the 
safety  of  one  about  to  encounter  great  peril. 

Tonti  reached  Fort  Miami  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  in  safety  and  there  found  his  men  who  had 
preceded  him  in  a  larger  vessel.  They  were  all 
well  and  had  made  a  good-sized  fleet  of  canoes, 
but  were  much  disturbed  at  rumors  they  had 
heard  that,  during  the  early  summer,  the  Iroquois 
had  made  a  grand  invasion  of  the  country  of  the 
Illini  and  had  driven  them  from  their  homes, 
murdering  and  scattering  the  tribes.  Tonti,  with 
this  corroboration  of  the  Indian's  vision,  was  still 

21 


322  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

more  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  his  friend,  and 
pushed  on  with  all  speed.  They  found  plenty 
of  deer  and  buffalo,  and  were  thus  enabled  to  lay 
in  a  bountiful  supply  of  meat.  As  they  drew 
near  the  great  town  of  the  Illini  their  fears  were 
confirmed.  Instead  of  the  noise  of  a  great  en 
campment  they  found  silence.  The  meadow 
below  the  high  rock  was  one  scene  of  devastation 
and  ruin.  The  charred  remains  of  the  lodges 

D 

were  all  of  human  habitation  that  remained  stand 
ing.  Bones  and  skulls  were  strewn  about  in 
great  abundance.  The  Indian  graves  elevated 
on  four  poles  had  been  broken  down  and  their 
contents  scattered.  A  horde  of  wolves  fled  from 
the  ghastly  repast  at  their  approach,  while  a  crowd 
of  buzzards  wheeled  above  their  heads  with  angry 
cries  at  being  thus  disturbed. 

The  rumors  were  indeed  true.  While  making 
an  attack  on  the  eastern  white  settlements  another 
portion  of  the  ferocious  Iroquois  confederacy  had 
gone  westward  to  annihilate  their  red  enemies. 
No  signs  of  human  life  were  there  left  to  tell 
of  the  disaster  that  had  befallen.  Tonti  hastened 
with  his  men  on  down  to  the  widening  in  the 
river  near  which  Fort  Creve-cceur  had  been 
erected.  This  too  was  a  ruin,  although  destroyed 
by  other  hands  than  the  Iroquois.  The  uncom 
pleted  vessel  still  stood  on  the  stocks,  on  whose 
side  was  scrawled,  "  Nous  sommes  tons  sauvages" 


A  Compact  and  a  Calamity          323 

This  told  the  story  of  further  treachery  and 
desertion  on  the  part  of  La  Salle's  followers. 
Leaving  the  most  of  his  party  at  this  spot,  Tonti 
continued  his  journey  with  Pompon  and  a  canoe 
full  of  picked  men.  They  descended  the  river 
until  they  reached  the  Mississippi,  but  no  traces 
of  La  Salle  were  to  be  found.  As  they  progressed 
they  could  discern  the  spot  where  the  retreating 
Illini  had  camped  on  one  side  of  the  stream,  while 
on  the  opposite  side  their  foes  had  kept  a  sharp 
watch  over  their  retreat.  Returning  again,  they 
rested  with  their  entire  force  at  the  site  of  Fort 
Creve-coeur.  The  autumn  was  rapidly  passing, 
so  they  finally  determined  to  go  back  to  Fort 
Miami  and  take  up  winter  quarters,  sending  out 
search  parties  in  all  directions  to  try  and  discover 
any  trace  of  La  Salle  and  the  remnant  of  his 
men. 


Chapter    Twenty-Four 

SHOWS    THAT   THE    LIFE    OF   AN    EXPLORER   IS 
FAR    FROM    TAME 

AFTER  Tonti's  departure  for  Quebec,  La 
Salle  had  proceeded  to  occupy  his  force 
as  best  he  might  until  his  return.  The 
building  of  a  vessel  progressed  but  slowly,  owing 
to  continual  dissatisfaction  and  unrest  among  his 
men.  Thinking  to  find  a  work  that  would  en 
gage  all  their  strength  and  time,  he  set  out  with 
one  of  the  more  trustworthy,  the  young  Sieur  de 
Boisrondet,  together  with  two  Recollet  friars, 
Father  Membre  and  Father  Ribourde,  and  as 
cended  the  river  to  the  spot  where  lay  the  great 
city  of  the  Illini.  He  had  long  felt  that  if  the 
height  overlooking  this  town  could  be  fortified 
and  held,  an  impregnable  fortress  would  be  se 
cured  which  would  serve  not  only  as  a  menace  to 
all  the  Indians  of  the  region,  but  would  become 
an  admirable  storehouse  for  the  furs  that  could 
be  collected.  While  thus  engaged  at  the  town 
of  the  friendly  Illini,  one  of  the  men  who  had 
been  left  behind  at  Fort  Creve-Coeur  arrived, 
bringing  the  disastrous  news  that  the  entire  force 

324 


The  Life  of  an  Explorer  325 

remaining  there  had  mutinied,  destroyed  the  fort, 
and  taken  to  the  woods  to  lead  the  free  roving 
life  of  the  coureurs-de-bois  that  they  all  so  much 
desired.  Thus  were  these  three  Frenchmen  and 
the  two  priests  left  alone.  They  made  their  quar 
ters  in  the  Illini  town.  There  was  now  no  hope 
of  fortifying  the  rock  even,  until  Tonti's  return. 

Thus  passed  the  spring.  With  the  early 
summer  came  the  news  that  carried  dismay  to 
the  hearts  of  all  their  savage  allies  ;  the  ferocious 
Iroquois  were  on  the  march  to  attack  them. 
Confusion  reigned.  The  white  men  were  in 
stantly  accused  of  being  Iroquois  spies,  and  the 
approaching  attack  was  attributed  to  their  doings. 
For  a  time  it  looked  to  all  as  though  in  the  heat 
and  excitement  of  the  moment  they  would  be 
sacrificed  to  the  fear  and  anger  of  the  frightened 
savages.  But  La  Salle  boldly  proclaimed  that 
the  whites  were  friends  of  the  Illini,  and  to 
prove  this  said  they  would  join  them  in  their 
defence  against  the  oncoming  enemy.  This 
served  to  stop  any  active  measures  against  the 
French,  although  they  were  still  viewed  with 
suspicion. 

A  few  days  later  the  advance  guard  of  the  at 
tacking  force  appeared,  and  hurried  preparations 
were  made  to  resist.  The  squaws  and  children 
were  hurried  down  the  river  to  an  island,  where 
they  were  left  with  a  small  force  to  guard  them, 


326  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

while  the  main  body  of  the  warriors  remained 
to  meet  their  foe.  The  faces  of  the  braves  were 
greased,  their  bodies  painted,  and  the  night  spent 
in  dancing  their  war-dances,  singing  their  war- 
songs,  and  working  up  their  courage  to  meet  the 
coming  battle.  The  scouts  brought  in  ever-in 
creasing  reports  of  the  size  of  the  force  that  was 
making  ready  to  fall  upon  them.  La  Salle  offered 
to  mediate  between  the  two  nations,  so  advancing 
with  two  of  his  companions,  he  held  out  a  belt  of 
wampum  as  a  sign  of  peace.  When  the  Iroquois 
commenced  firing  on  them  La  Salle  sent  the  others 
back,  and,  proceeding  alone,  soon  entered  the 
Iroquois  lines.  He  inquired  haughtily  what  they, 
the  allies  of  the  French,  meant  by  coming  on  a 
warlike  errand  against  the  Illini,  who  were  the  chil 
dren  of  the  great  Onontio  and  who  were  under  his 
special  protection.  He  stood  unflinching  amid 
a  group  of  howling,  threatening  savages.  One 
brave,  intoxicated  with  dreams  of  blood  and  mur 
der,  struck  at  him  with  a  knife,  but  the  blade 
that  was  intended  for  his  heart,  striking  a  rib, 
glanced  off,  inflicting  an  ugly  flesh  wound.  An 
other  seized  his  hair  with  one  hand,  and  with  the 
other  made  the  motions  of  scalping  him.  La 
Salle,  without  weapons  or  any  means  of  defence, 
boldly  chided  them  for  their  behavior,  and  de 
manded  a  council  of  the  chiefs.  This  was  held, 
and  he  repeated  his  demands  that  the  Illini  be 


The  Life  of  an  Explorer  327 

left  in  peace,  threatening  the  Iroquois  with  the 
wrath  of  France  if  they  were  harmed. 

After  a  long  and  tedious  season  of  harangues 
from  many  of  the  chiefs  they  brought  forth  six 
packages  of  beaver  skins  and  placed  them  before 
La  Salle.  The  chief  orator  then  presented  them 
to  him  and  explained  their  meaning.  The  first 
two  were  to  declare  that  the  children  of  the  great 
Onontio  (the  lllini)  were  not  to  be  eaten.  The 
next  was  a  plaster  to  heal  La  Salle's  wound.  The 
next  was  oil  to  anoint  himself  and  his  French  com 
panions  for  a  long  journey.  The  next  announced 
that  the  sun  was  bright  and  travelling  good. 
The  last  required  that  the  whites  should  with 
draw  from  the  lllini  camp,  and  go  home  to  Que 
bec.  La  Salle  thereupon  thanked  them  for  their 
gifts,  but  asked  when  they  themselves  were  going 
to  depart,  and  leave  the  lllini  in  peace.  This 
raised  a  storm  of  angry  feelings,  and  murmurs 
were  heard  on  all  sides  that  they  would  yet  eat 
the  flesh  of  the  lllini.  La  Salle  then  kicked 
over  the  pile  of  beaver  skins,  saying  that  he 
would  not  receive  them  if  they  were  going  to  eat 
the  children  of  the  great  Onontio. 

He  was  thereupon  driven  from  the  lodge  in 
which  the  council  was  held.  He  offered  again  to 
mediate,  without  success.  He  then  withdrew, 
sent  for  the  rest  of  his  party,  and  knowing  that  to 
remain  would  mean  a  certain  and  terrible  death 


328  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

for  them  all,  set  out  in  a  leaky  canoe  for  Fort 
Miami.  They  were  obliged  to  land  and  repair 
the  leaks.  While  thus  engaged,  Father  Ribourde 
wandered  away  from  their  camp  to  meditate  at  the 
setting  of  the  sun.  He  was  never  seen  again  by 
the  eyes  of  the  French.  A  number  of  Iroquois 
who  had  followed  the  course  of  the  party  since 
leaving,  surprised  him  while  engaged  with  his 
devotions  in  the  timber  near  by,  and  cleft  his 
skull  with  an  axe,  killing  him  without  sound  or 
struggle  on  his  part.  Thus  died  the  only  heir  to 
a  wealthy  Burgundian  house,  who  had  renounced 
the  comforts  of  this  world  to  carry  to  heathen 
ears  the  truths  and  consolations  of  the  Church. 
Noble  martyr  of  the  Faith,  true  soldier  of  the 
Cross,  he  braved  a  thousand  dangers,  fired  by  a 
holy  zeal,  meeting  his  death  at  the  hands  of  those 
he  had  come  so  far  to  bless.  Of  such  great  souls 
can  the  Church  of  Rome  be  indeed  proud ;  the 
lustre  of  such  names  cannot  be  dimmed  by  the 
passage  of  the  centuries. 

After  searching  vainly  to  find  any  trace  of  their 
companion  and  spending  two  days  in  the  vicinity 
in  the  vain  hope  that  he  would  return,  they  at 
last  renewed  their  journey,  reaching  Fort  Miami 
without  further  accident.  They  determined  then 
to  go  up  the  west  side  of  the  lake  toward  Michili- 
mackinac.  They  had  not  proceeded  far  when 
their  canoe  was  rendered  unfit  for  further  service, 


The  Life  of  an  Explorer  329 

and  they  proceeded  the  rest  of  the  way  on  foot. 
Food  became  exhausted,  and  they  were  verging 
upon  starvation  when  a  band  of  friendly  Potta- 
wottomies  found  them  and  took  them  to  their 
home.  Here  a  messenger  whom  Tonti  had 
dispatched  to  search  for  tidings  of  his  friend 
found  them  in  the  middle  of  the  winter. 

La  Salle  had  finally  succumbed  to  the  vicissi 
tudes  of  the  past  months  and  lay  for  many  weeks 
ill  with  a  wasting  fever,  tended  by  the  faithful 
Boisrondet  and  Father  Membre.  He  sent  the 
messenger  back  to  Tonti,  assuring  him  of  his 
safety,  and  begging  him  to  remain  where  he  was 
until  the  spring,  promising  to  rejoin  him  there  as 
soon  as  he  was  able  to  make  the  journey.  Tonti 
sent  word  over  the  ice  to  Michilimackinac  telling 
Renee  of  his  discovery  of  La  Salle  and  of  their 
plans. 

With  the  coming  of  the  March  rains  La  Salle 
and  his  little  band  arrived.  The  meeting  of  the 
two  comrades  long  separated  was  full  of  gladness. 
La  Salle  had  entirely  recovered  his  strength  and 
was  filled  with  his  old-time  enthusiasm.  The 
whole  party  now  made  their  way  with  the  sup 
plies,  tools,  ammunition,  etc.,  that  Tonti  had 
brought  with  him  from  Quebec,  down  the  river 
to  the  spot  where  the  Illini  town  had  formerly 
stood.  La  Salle  decided  that  he  would  try  to 
gather  up  the  remnants  of  the  dispersed  nation, 


330  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  found  a  new  town  protected  by  the  citadel  he 
had  long  contemplated  erecting  on  the  tall  rock. 
He  found  on  their  arrival  that  a  number  of  the 
Illini  had  straggled  back  to  their  old  home,  and 
he  was  welcomed  by  them  as  a  friend  and  deliv 
erer.  They  entered  heartily  into  his  plans,  plac 
ing  themselves  willingly  under  his  leadership  and 
protection,  and  sent  emissaries  out  to  recall  the 
scattered  tribes.  They  joined  in  with  a  right 
good-will  to  assist  the  French  in  the  building  of 
the  fort  that  was  to  be  a  future  protection  against 
the  incursions  of  their  enemies. 

This  cliff  stood  by  the  river's  edge  like  a  castle 
tower.  On  three  sides  it  arose  steep  and  sheer. 
Its  height  was  about  a  hundred  and  twenty-five 
feet,  while  the  top  was  about  an  acre  in  extent. 
In  front  it  overhung  the  river;  toward  the  west 
a  forest  lay  at  its  feet ;  eastward  a  wide  gorge 
protected  it  from  approach  in  that  direction.  It 
was  accessible  only  from  behind,  and  that  with 
difficulty  by  a  narrow,  steep  passage  hidden  at 
the  base  amidst  a  waste  of  oak  and  walnut  trees. 
The  forest  that  crowned  it  was  quickly  cut  down 
and  its  timbers  used  in  erecting  a  palisade  that 
ran  around  its  edge.  On  the  space  thus  cleared 
were  erected  a  chapel,  storehouses,  a  powder 
magazine,  and  various  buildings  to  be  used  as 
dwellings  by  those  who  would  flee  to  it  for  pro 
tection  in  time  of  war. 


The  Life  of  an  Explorer  3  3 1 

During  this  work  the  bands  of  the  defeated 
Illini  came  straggling  in,  until  their  number 
amounted  to  six  thousand.  Their  lodges  were 
built  about  the  foot  of  the  cliff.  From  the  vicin 
ity  of  Fort  Miami  came  a  band  of  twenty-five 
exiled  savages  from  the  eastern  tribes,  chiefly 
Abenakis  and  Mohegans,  to  join  their  slender 
force  to  that  of  the  colony  of  La  Salle.  Soon 
the  news  spread,  and  from  the  distant  banks  of 
the  Ohio  came  a  body  of  Shawanoes  to  incorpo 
rate  themselves  with  this  new  confederation,  while 
the  Miamis  from  the  banks  of  the  Theakiki,  real 
izing  the  importance  of  joining  with  the  others 
against  their  common  enemy  the  Iroquois,  offered 
themselves  to  swell  the  numbers.  La  Salle 
gladly  accepted  these  numerous  additions,  and 
soon  the  country  for  a  mile  around  the  rock  was 
dotted  with  the  lodges  of  the  allies.  The  total 
number  at  length  amounted  to  over  twenty 
thousand  souls,  of  whom  fully  four  thousand 
were  warriors. 

Finally  the  fort  was  finished,  and  the  flag  that 
Renee  had  given  to  La  Salle  floaced  from  the 
summit.  The  name  of  Fort  St.  Louis  was  given 
to  the  fortification,  and  thus  after  many  defeats 
it  seemed  as  though  some  lasting  progress  had 
been  made  toward  winning  the  great  West  for  the 
French  King. 

Tonti  had  recounted  faithfully  all   the  adven- 


332  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

tures  of  his  journey  to  La  Salle  and  had  received 
warm  praise  for  all  that  had  been  accomplished. 
He  described  his  meeting  with  Renee  at  Quebec, 
the  reason  assigned  by  Frontenac  for  her  leaving 
France,  his  endeavors  for  her  safety,  which  he 
knew  was  precious  in  the  eyes  of  his  friend,  and 
all  the  course  of  their  wanderings.  La  Salle 
was  surprised  at  learning  of  her  close  proximity, 
but  to  Tonti's  amazement  expressed  no  intention 
of  either  going  for  her  himself,  or  of  sending  to 
Michilimackinac  to  bring  her  to  him.  In  fact, 
although  he  saw  a  faint  flicker  of  the  former  light 
in  his  eye  when  he  first  mentioned  her,  yet  he 
seemed  to  show  far  greater  concern  over  learning 
the  condition  of  affairs  at  Quebec  than  he  did  to 
hear  the  details  of  their  voyage.  Tonti  attributed 
this  seeming  indifference  to  an  attempt  upon  the 
part  of  his  comrade  to  conceal  his  real  feelings, 
as  was  his  wont  whenever  anything  touched  him 
deeply. 

La  Salle  realized  that  in  order  to  maintain 
the  advantage  already  gained  and  keep  in  hand 
the  various  tribes  beneath  his  control,  two  things 
must  be  accomplished  :  one,  that  of  making  the 
fort  impregnable  so  that  the  trust  of  the  savages 
that  he  could  protect  them  from  the  Iroquois 
would  not  be  lost ;  the  other,  that  of  supplying 
them  with  French  goods  in  exchange  for  their 
furs.  To  meet  the  first  conditions  more  men, 


The  Life  of  an  Explorer  333 

ammunition,  guns,  and  cannon  must  be  brought 
from  Quebec.  To  meet  the  second  a  trip  to  that 
city  must  be  made  in  person  to  make  the  best 
arrangements  possible  with  his  creditors  and  to 
provide  for  the  importation  of  the  various  goods 
the  Indians  demanded.  Thus  it  was  that  the 
christening  of  the  fort  had  hardly  been  accom 
plished  before  the  ever-restless  spirit  of  the  man 
urged  him  to  action.  He  therefore  made  his 
plans  for  leaving  the  fort  in  charge  of  Tonti  and 
making  the  journey  eastward  with  all  possible 
speed.  One  thing  more,  however,  was  essential. 
This  was  that  he  should  be  able  to  report  the 
exploration  of  the  lower  Mississippi  and  take 
possession  of  all  that  vast  territory  in  the  name 
of  the  King.  This  must  necessarily  be  accom 
plished  first,  so  he  made  ready  for  the  voyage 
southward.  Choosing  a  sufficient  number  of 
men  for  the  expedition,  he  departed,  promising 
the  savages  that  he  would  return  and  instructing 
them  to  yield  full  obedience  to  Tonti  in  his 
absence.  The  building  of  the  fort  having  been 
accomplished  with  great  rapidity,  he  hoped  to  be 
able  to  make  the  voyage  to  the  Gulf  and  back 
in  time  to  reach  Quebec  before  the  ships  made 
their  autumn  voyage  to  France,  so  that  they 
would  bear  the  news  of  his  discoveries  to  the 
King. 

Accordingly,  he  paddled  away  one  bright  May 


334  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

morning  and  began  the  difficult  journey  that  he 
had  long  wished  to  make. 

Down  the  sluggish  bosom  of  the  Illini  they 
passed  into  the  broad  expanse  of  the  Mississippi. 
Soon  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  was  seen  and  the 
heat  of  summer  became  more  and  more  intense. 
Here  and  there  they  met  with  bands  of  savages 
living  on  the  banks  of  the  mighty  river.  These 
were  approached  with  the  calumet,  the  sign  of 
peace,  and  the  white  travellers  were  entertained 
with  feasts  and  dances,  while  presents  and  promises 
were  interchanged.  La  Salle  harangued  the  lis 
teners,  assuring  them  of  the  great  King's  friend 
ship  and  power,  and  claiming  all  the  territory 
through  which  he  passed  for  his  sovereign. 

Soon  the  great  stream  writhed  in  sinuous 
course,  many  marshes  were  passed,  and  the  sultry 
heat  of  an  almost  tropical  sun  rendered  the  work 
of  paddling  very  fatiguing.  They  stopped  to 
rest  at  one  place  and  visited  at  a  short  distance 
inland  the  great  town  of  the  Taensas.  Here 
Father  Membre  was  shocked  to  find  a  temple 
of  the  sun,  with  a  sacred  fire  kept  constantly 
alight.  The  chief  admitted  them  to  his  temple 
as  well  as  his  lodge,  and  eternal  friendship  with 
the  French  was  sworn.  Thus  over  many  a 
weary  league  of  tortuous  water-course  did  they 
pass  until  the  ever-widening  river  told  them  of 
the  approach  of  their  journey's  end.  The  chan- 


The  Life  of  an  Explorer  335 

nel  divided  into  three,  and  taking  the  middle 
one,  they  soon  found  before  their  wearied  eyes  the 
dancing  waters  of  the  Gulf. 

Here  they  landed,  and  a  column  was  erected 
bearing  the  arms  of  France,  on  which  was 
inscribed  : 

"LOUIS   LE   GRAND,.    ROY    DE    FRANCE   ET   DE 
NAVARRE,    REGNE." 

A  Te  Deum  was  chanted,  and  amid  the  shouts 
of  savage  voices,  the  cries  of  "  Vive  le  Roi !  "  from 

O  ' 

the  French,  and  the  firing  of  guns,  La  Salle  took 
possession  of  all  the  country  drained  by  the  great 
Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  under  the  name 
of  Louisiana,  for  the  French  King  and  his  suc 
cessors.  Thus  on  a  summer  day  did  that  vast 
expanse  from  the  Alleghanies  to  the  Rockies, 
from  the  unknown  country  far  northward  of 
the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Gulf,  pass  to  the  crown 
of  him  who,  thousands  of  leagues  away,  was  en 
gaged  in  wasting  the  revenues  of  a  great  nation 

O      O  D  O 

on  the  fripperies  of  a  corrupt  court  and  the 
transient  glories  of  Versailles. 


Chapter   Twenty-Five 

IN    WHICH    POMPON    BRINGS    HARMONY  OUT 
OF    DISCORD 

DURING  La  Salle's  absence  Tonti  worked 
hard  to  further  the  welfare  of  the 
colony.  His  first  effort  was  to  do 
away  with  all  possible  discord  that  might  arise 
between  the  various  nations  comprising  the  new 
settlement.  To  this  end  he  summoned  the 
various  chiefs  and  spent  many  hours  haranguing 
them  as  to  the  benefit  to  be  derived  from  putting 
aside  all  tribal  feeling  and  joining  with  him  in  his 
efforts  for  the  common  good.  The  convincing 
nature  of  his  arguments,  together  with  the  presents 
distributed,  brought  about  the  desired  effect.  A 
Grand  Council  was  formed  in  which  each  tribe 
received  recognition  according  to  its  size.  Simple 
general  regulations  governing  the  community 
were  drawn  up  and  assented  to.  A  uniform 
price  for  all  skins  brought  to  the  French  was 
established.  The  final  settlement  of  all  disputes 
was  left  in  the  hands  of  La  Salle  or  his  represen 
tative.  The  limits  of  the  land  apportioned  out  for 
cultivation  were  definitely  marked.  The  space 

336 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  337 

around  the  base  of  the  fort  was  all  cleared ;  the 
final  touches  to  the  buildings  on  top  of  the  rock 
were  completed. 

These  things  having  been  accomplished,  Tonti 
waited  anxiously  for  the  return  of  La  Salle.  As 
the  summer  began  to  wane  a  strange  disease 
broke  out  among  the  Indians  that  did  not  affect 
the  whites,  but  which  spread  with  great  rapidity. 
With  it  carne  the  first  murmurs  of  discontent. 
Some  of  the  medicine-men  after  holding  a  feast 
determined  that  the  scourge  had  been  sent  because 
of  their  extreme  friendliness  with  the  French. 
Tonti  realized  the  danger,  and  determined  that 
the  best  way  to  combat  this  new  difficulty  was 
to  fight  the  disease.  He  accordingly  instituted 
measures  looking  toward  greater  cleanliness  of  the 
Indian  lodges  and  did  what  he  could  to  alleviate 
the  sufferings  of  those  already  ill.  At  this  junc 
ture  he  received  a  letter  from  the  commandant  of 
the  fort  at  Michilimackinac,  who  had  always 
been  friendly  to  La  Salle  and  his  projects.  In 
this  he  said  that  the  return  of  many  bands  of 
coureurs-de-bois  had  rendered  the  position  of 
Renee  a  very  trying  one,  as  her  beauty  attracted 
much  unwelcome  attention  and  suggested  that 
she  be  sent,  together  with  two  of  the  nuns,  to  Fort 
St.  Louis. 

Tonti,  although  knowing  that  her  advent  would 
mean  further  trials  for  himself,  gladly  consented, 


338  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

realizing  the  need  he  had  just  then  for  nurses,  and 
expecting  the  return  of  La  Salle  shortly,  believed 
it  would  be  agreeable  to  him  to  find  her  there. 
He  accordingly  dispatched  Pompon  with  two 
canoes  to  bring  the  party  to  the  fort.  He 
awaited  their  arrival  with  impatience.  The 
months  that  had  elapsed  since  parting  with 
Renee  had  been  months  of  activity  that  pre 
vented  him  from  feeling  the  full  hopelessness 
and  regret  of  his  situation.  But  even  amidst 

o 

his  busiest  moments  would  come  the  thought  of 
her  stealing  upon  him  ere  he  was  aware,  and  he 
would  find  himself  wondering  as  to  her  safety 
and  happiness.  He  timed  the  rate  of  Pompon's 
journey  carefully. 

The  day  dawned  on  which,  if  no  delay  had 
occurred,  they  ought  to  reach  their  journey's  end. 
Never  before  had  the  sun  shone  so  brightly  upon 
the  silken  folds  of  the  lily  banner  of  France  on 
the  staff  of  the  fort.  Never  before  had  the 
sound  of  birds  calling  to  their  mates  seemed  quite 
so  clear  and  musical,  nor  the  sight  of  the  awak 
ened  happy  life  at  his  feet  quickened  his  pulse 
with  so  much  satisfaction  as  he  realized  what  had 
already  been  accomplished.  He  fell  to  wonder 
ing  if  she  would  approve  of  everything  that  he 
had  done  and  half  wished  that  he  had  but  a  few 
days  more  in  which  to  do  a  hundred  little  things 
that  would  make  still  further  for  the  success  of 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  339 

the  undertaking.  He  visited  for  the  twentieth 
time  the  commodious  lodge  within  the  walls  of 
the  fort  that  had  been  set  aside  for  the  occupation 
of  the  women,  to  see  if  the  place  were  in  good 
order.  He  had  prepared  soft  couches  for  them, 
formed  of  layers  of  mingled  leaves  and  pine 
needles  covered  over  with  a  number  of  furs. 
The  table  and  chairs,  the  sawing  and  making  of 
which  he  had  supervised,  were  in  their  places, 
while  the  walls  were  festooned  with  bunches  of 
wild  flowers  the  Indian  children  had  gathered  at 
his  instigation.  His  final  survey  saw  that  every 
thing  was  ready  ;  it  was  indeed  a  fit  bower  for  a 
forest  queen. 

About  noon  from  his  lofty  station  he  caught 
sight  of  two  tiny  specks  far  away  up  the  river, 
and  he  knew  that  they  were  coming.  Entering 
his  canoe,  he  seized  his  paddle  and  set  out  to  meet 
them.  His  heart  was  light  as  he  heard  the  music 
of  the  water  beneath  his  prow.  He  had  been 
able  to  rescue  her  again  from  a  position  of  dis 
comfort  and  peril ;  perhaps  other  opportunities 
for  serving  her  would  arise.  He  hoped  they 
would,  for  her  service  was  his  delight.  He  sang 
as  he  sped  along;  sang  half-forgotten  songs  of 
deeds  of  war  and  glory,  of  fair  women  and  gallant 
lovers.  But  he  realized  that  he,  alas,  could  not 
speak  the  words  that  were  ready  to  fall  from  his 
lips,  words  of  love,  of  tenderness,  and  of  devotion 


34-Q  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

that  must  not  be  uttered.  He  schooled  his 
tongue  to  keep  silence,  but  he  knew  he  could  not 
control  his  heart,  which  would  beat  to  the  tune  of 
love's  own  music  despite  himself. 

All  animate  nature  seemed  to  rejoice  with  him. 
The  glad  screaming  of  the  wild  fowl  winging 
their  way  along  the  marshy  edges  of  the  stream, 
the  cries  of  quail  in  the  underbrush  far  away,  even 
the  hoarse  cawing  of  the  cro.vs  from  their  perches 
on  the  blasted  limbs  of  the  forest  came  to  his 
ear  in  tones  of  sympathetic  gladness.  The  whole 
world  seemed  in  gala  attire  as  though  to  welcome 
a  loved  monarch  returning  to  his  kingdom. 

Soon  they  drew  near,  and  he  saw  the  flash  of 
Pompon's  signalling  paddle  in  the  air.  He  came 
alongside  the  canoe  containing  Renee,  and  per 
ceived  with  thankfulness  the  glow  of  health  on 
her  cheek  and  the  glad  welcome  of  her  eye  that 
the  words  of  commonplace  greetings  exchanged 
between  the  two  could  not  express.  They  soon 
landed,  and  the  nuns  with  their  fair  companion 
were  quickly  established  in  their  new  house. 
They  set  to  work  at  once  among  the  sick,  and 
soon  the  effect  of  their  presence  was  felt.  The 
disease  died  out  without  further  ravages,  and 
again  were  the  French  hailed  as  the  deliverers  of 
their  allies.  The  cooling  hand  and  gentle  minis 
trations  of  these  angels  of  mercy  procured  for  the 
two  priests  who  came  with  them  a  respectful 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  341 

hearing,  and  soon  quite  a  goodly  number  of 
the  savages  began  regular  attendance  at  mass. 
Renee's  quiet  dignity  and  queenly  beauty  won 
from  the  redmen  their  respect  and  admiration  as 
for  some  supernatural  creature,  which  soon  devel 
oped  into  a  devotion  unheard  of  before  among 
them. 

During  the  epidemic  Renee  had  been  so  busily 
engaged  that  Tonti  scarce  had  caught  a  glimpse 
of  her.  Now  that  her  duties  were  lightened  they 
often  met,  and  standing  together  by  the  wooden 
ramparts  of  the  fort,  looked  out  across  the  river 
or  down  upon  the  town  beneath  them  teeming 
with  human  life  and  activity.  Tonti  made  no 
reference  to  their  personal  relations,  but  spoke  of 
La  Salle's  return,  his  plans  and  the  future  pros 
pects  of  the  colony.  Renee  listened  to  him  with 
interest,  but  the  look  of  peace  which  she  wore 
betrayed  the  fact  that  she  was  content  with  the 
present  and  satisfied  at  being  there. 

One  morning  a  canoe  was  sighted  coming  up 
the  river.  On  landing  it  was  found  to  contain 
three  members  of  La  Salle's  party,  sent  to  reinforce 
the  garrison  of  the  fort,  who  bore  a  message 
from  him  to  Tonti.  In  this  La  Salle  related  what 
he  had  accomplished,  and  informed  Tonti  that  he 
had  chosen  to  save  time  by  journeying  up  the 
Ohio  River  on  his  way  to  Quebec  instead  of 
returning  to  Fort  St.  Louis  and  thence  by  way 


342  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

of  the  lakes,  as  he  had  originally  intended.  He 
appointed  Tonti  to  command  in  his  absence  and 
sent  messages  of  good-will  to  the  Indian  chiefs. 
He  hoped  to  return  by  December  and  wished 
them  all  success  in  defending  and  holding  the 
post.  Tonti  received  the  news  of  the  further 
duration  of  his  responsibility  with  a  good  grace, 
while  Renee's  features  expressed  no  sorrow. 

This  state  of  peaceful  happiness  was  not  to 
last,  however.  Within  two  weeks  another  canoe 
appeared  bringing  a  French  officer  from  Quebec. 
He  presented  himself  to  Tonti  as  the  Chevalier 
de  Baugis,  an  officer  of  the  King's  dragoons,  who 
bore  an  unwelcome  letter  for  La  Salle.  Through 
this  letter  Tonti  learned,  much  to  his  surprise, 
that  Frontenac's  enemies  had  so  far  prevailed  as 
to  procure  his  recall  the  previous  autumn ;  that 
Le  Febvre  de  la  Barre  was  now  Governor,  a  friend 
of  Duchesneau  and  the  other  enemies  of  La  Salle. 
He  brought  with  him  a  commission  as  command 
ing  officer  of  His  Majesty's  Fort,  and  orders  for 
La  Salle  to  surrender  the  command  to  him  and 
report  at  once  at  Quebec.  This  was  a  severe 
blow.  Tonti  was  not  disposed  to  submit  to  his 
deposition  gracefully. 

"  Monsieur  le  Chevalier  de  Baugis,"  he  said,  as 
he  handed  back  the  commission,  "  the  Sieur  de  la 
Salle  is  already  on  his  way  to  Quebec  in  ignorance 
of  the  events  that  have  taken  place  there.  He  is 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  343 

therefore  not  here  to  receive  the  commands  of  the 
new  Governor.  My  authority  is  received  from 
Sieur  de  la  Salle,  and  to  him  alone  am  I  answer 
able  for  the  safety  of  this  fortress.  He  will 
undoubtedly  forward  his  wishes  to  me  at  the 
earliest  opportunity.  Until  I  receive  word  from 
him  I  cannot  resign  my  command  to  any  one.  I 
can  but  regard  you  as  an  officer  of  the  King,  whose 
presence  may  be  of  assistance,  and  my  guest." 

The  Chevalier  was  greatly  angered  at  this  un 
expected  resistance,  but  Tonti  remained  firm,  and 
left  him  after  showing  him  the  lodge  that  was 
accorded  to  him  as  his  residence.  The  next  day, 
although  his  anger  had  vanished,  he  displayed  a 
surly  demeanor.  He  received  Tonti's  courtesies 
ungraciously  and  spent  his  time  in  writing  out  a 
lengthy  complaint  of  the  insubordination  of  the 
commander  he  found  in  charge,  which  he  purposed 
sending  to  Quebec  at  the  earliest  opportunity. 
As  no  messenger  was  directly  available,  he  con 
tented  himself  with  viewing  the  work  already 
accomplished  with  a  condescending  air,  that  ex 
pressed  his  contempt  of  everything.  His  ideas 
were  those  gained  from  experience  in  civilized 
warfare.  The  necessities  of  campaigns  carried  on 
against  a  savage  foe  he  knew  nothing  about. 

The  Indians  did  not  take  kindly  to  the  new 
representative  of  the  great  King  and  viewed  his 
contemptuous  attitude  with  much  disfavor.  The 


344  A  R°se  of  Normandy 

men  under  Tonti  had  learned  to  have  a  great 
enthusiasm  for  their  commander,  and  when  they 
were  informed  of  the  newcomer's  errand  murmurs 
of  dissatisfaction  were  heard  mingled  with  mut 
tered  threats  of  mutiny  in  case  he  took  command. 
Tonti  quieted  these  outbreaks  as  well  as  he  could 
and  endeavored  to  treat  him  with  the  attention 
due  his  position  as  his  guest.  He  took  pains  to 
walk  about  the  fort  pointing  out  the  reasons  for 
the  various  devices  used  in  the  fortifying  of  the 
place,  and  explaining,  in  a  measure,  the  plans 
made  by  La  Salle  for  the  maintenance  and  im 
provement  of  the  colony.  They  were  thus  en 
gaged  one  morning  when  Renee  passed  near 
them  on  her  return  from  the  town  below.  The 
Chevalier  followed  her  with  admiring  gaze. 

11  S acre  !  "  he  exclaimed  to  Tonti,  pulling  hard 
on  his  moustache.  "  What  a  beautiful  donnee  I 
Whence  comes  she  ?  It  is  a  pity  for  one  so  lovely 
to  waste  her  life  going  about  in  such  a  garb." 

"  She  is  one  sent  out  by  the  nuns  at  Quebec," 
said  Tonti  coldly.  "  She  is  devoted  to  her  work 
and  has  proved  of  invaluable  assistance  to  us  in 
tending  the  sick." 

"  Ma  foi !  "  continued  his  companion,  "  I 
should  not  mind  being  ill  with  such  a  nurse." 

Pompon  took  a  violent  dislike  to  the  man  from 
the  first  and  kept  his  eye  on  him  at  all  times. 
One  day  he  came  to  Tonti  with  a  troubled  face, 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  345 

and  reported  that  he  had  twice  that  day  seen  the 
Chevalier  attempt  to  speak  to  Renee  when  he 
met  her.  That  the  second  time  she  had  been 
forced  to  run  into  her  lodge  to  escape  his  atten 
tion.  Tonti  was  greatly  enraged,  but  sought  out 
Renee  and  asked  her  in  regard  to  the  encounter. 
She,  not  wishing  to  be  the  cause  of  increasing  the 
perplexities  of  the  situation,  made  light  of  the 
matter  and  begged  him  not  to  make  any  move  in 
the  affair,  as  the  Chevalier  was  not  likely  to  repeat 
the  discourtesy.  Tonti  yielded  a  reluctant  con 
sent,  but  resolved  upon  a  sharp  line  of  action  in 
case  the  offence  occurred  again.  Pompon,  realiz 
ing  the  position  of  Tonti,  determined  to  act  for 
himself  if  need  be.  He  took  the  young  Sieur  de 
Boisrondet  into  his  confidence,  who  was  the  de 
voted  friend  of  Tonti  and  who  worshipped  the 
fair  Renee  from  a  distance.  These  two  zealous 
allies  watched  carefully  for  several  days  without 
discovering  any  cause  for  interfering.  At  length 
the  sharp  eye  of  Pompon  caught  sight  of  the  fig 
ure  of  the  Chevalier  lounging  near  Renee's  lodge 
in  such  a  spot  that  she  would  have  to  pass  near 
him  on  her  return.  Soon  she  appeared,  and  the 
young  officer  with  a  sweeping  bow  sought  to 
engage  her  in  conversation,  but  she  pushed  hur 
riedly  by  without  looking  at  him.  He  strove  to 
detain  her  by  touching  her  arm.  She  uttered  a 
slight  cry  of  alarm  and  fled. 


346  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

That  night  the  Chevalier  was  sitting  in  his 
lodge,  which  was  lighted  by  a  pine  knot.  His 
scanty  writing  material  lay  on  the  table  before 
him.  The  composition  he  was  making  evidently 
was  an  effort,  for  he  stopped,  scowled,  and  bit 
his  quill  at  every  few  words.  "  A  louis  d'or  for 
a  rhyme  to  '  donneej  "  he  muttered.  A  knock 
aroused  him  and  the  Sieur  de  Boisrondet  entered. 

"  Pardon  my  intrusion,  Chevalier,"  he  began 
hurriedly  but  determinedly,  "  but  I  have  a  word 
of  warning  for  you." 

Baugis  looked  up  in  surprise.  "  What  warn 
ing  can  one  of  the  men  whose  commander  I  shall 
shortly  be  give  to  me?"  he  asked  haughtily. 

"  'T  is  this,"  resumed  De  Boisrondet  quietly ; 
"you  have  come  here  and  are  suffered  to  remain 
as  the  guest  of  our  commander,  the  only  com 
mander  we  recognize,  M.  le  Capitaine  Tonti. 
You  have  publicly  behaved  in  a  manner  discour 
teous  to  him.  His  men,  his  Indian  allies,  are 
devoted  to  him.  If  they  should  become  incensed 
I  could  not  answer  for  their  conduct." 

"  Has  your  precious  leader  sent  you  here  with 
this  threat  ?  "  was  the  sneering  inquiry.  "  Why 
does  he  not  come  in  person  ?  I  shall  not  hurt 
him." 

"  He  knows  nothing  about  my  errand,"  was 
the  quiet  reply.  "  There  is  another  matter  I 
would  speak  of  also." 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  347 

"Mafoi!  more  offences  !  Go  on;  I  suppose 
I  am  a  schoolboy  and  must  be  reprimanded." 

"  You  have  been  seen  endeavoring  to  force 
distasteful  attentions  upon  the  young  donnee" 

"Parbleu!"  broke  in  Baugis  angrily.  "Am 
I  to  be  held  accountable  for  my  every  act  in  this 
wilderness  ?  What  if  I  choose  to  speak  to  a 
pretty  face  ?  Who  but  the  priests  are  there  who 
will  rebuke  me  ?" 

"Another  such  action  and  you  will  have  to 
deal  with  Capitaine  Tonti.  I  warn  you  it  will  not 
seem  a  small  matter  in  his  eyes." 

"  So,  mon  Dleu  !  this  mighty  Capitaine  of  yours 
will  interfere,  will  he  ?  Pray  tell  me  by  what 
right  he  assumes  to  be  my  censor  ?  Is  he  her 
brother?  or  husband  ?  or  —  " 

The  speaker  did  not  finish  ;  the  smirk  upon 
his  face  suddenly  faded  away.  During  the  con 
versation  a  small  figure  climbed  noiselessly  in 
through  the  window  behind  him.  As  he  was 
speaking  he  suddenly  felt  the  cold  impress  of  a 
gun  muzzle  placed  against  the  back  of  his  neck 
and  he  heard  a  voice  that  chilled  him  with  the 
grim  determination  in  its  tone.  "  Finish  that 
sentence  or  make  a  single  move  and  I  shall  blow 

o 

your  body  to  the  four  corners  of  the  room  and 
your  soul  to  hell.  Take  up  your  pen  and  write. 
Say  that  you  agree  to  behave  with  all  due  respect 
to  your  host,  that  you  will  cease  forever  all 


348  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

attempts  to  communicate  with  the  donnee  or  to 
annoy  her  in  any  way,  and  that  you  will  bear  no 
malice  to  either  of  them  nor  towards  the  two  of 
us  present  now." 

The  man,  although  brave,  could  not  repress  a 
shudder  at  his  predicament,  and  after  a  moment's 
hesitation  wrote  as  commanded  and  signed  his 
name  with  a  flourish.  "  Hand  it  to  me  over 
your  shoulder,"  continued  the  voice.  When  he 
did  so  the  weapon  was  removed  and  he  turned 
quickly  about  to  see  the  form  of  Pompon  standing 
behind  his  chair. 

Before  a  word  could  be  said  by  any  one  a 
knock  was  heard  at  the  door  and  Tonti  entered. 
"  I  was  just  making  my  rounds  for  the  night, 
Chevalier,  and  I  stopped  to  see  if — "  here  his 
eyes  fell  upon  Baugis'  companions  and  he  paused 
in  wonderment. 

"  I  have  been  receiving  some  of  your  friends 
and  have  been  entertained  by  their  conversation," 
the  officer  began  blandly.  "  They  have  doubtless 
come  from  you,  as  their  errand  was  in  your  inter 
est.  They  have  procured  a  little  writing  from 
me  by  means  which,  though  unpleasant,  have 
been  effectual." 

Tonti,  still  more  astonished,  seeing  the  paper 
in  the  hands  of  Pompon,  took  it  and  read  the 
contents.  He  flushed,  and,  raising  his  eyes  to 
Baugis,  said  earnestly : 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  349 

"  I  trust,  Chevalier,  that  you  do  not  believe 
me  to  be  a  party  to  this  proceeding.  My  mis 
guided  friends  have  taken  far  different  measures 
than  I  should  have  done.  But  since  the  matter 
has  been  under  discussion  I  will  say  that  my  de 
sire  as  to  the  young  donnee  is  that  you  carry  out 
the  spirit  of  what  you  have  written  here.  But 
to  show  you  that  I  put  the  matter  on  an  entirely 
different  footing,  behold,  I  release  you  from  your 
word  ;  "  and  thrusting  the  paper  into  the  flame,  he 
allowed  it  to  burn.  "  I  will  exact  no  promise, 
but  will  say  simply  this  :  The  donnee  is  a  young 
woman  of  quality  ;  as  a  gentleman  of  France  you 
may  realize  that  any  further  attempts  at  annoy 
ance  or  attention  will  give  the  lie  to  your  claim 
of  gentility.  If  these  feelings  do  not  influence 
you,  know  well  that  I  am  pledged  to  guard  her 
person  from  danger  and  her  mind  from  unhappi- 
ness.  Should  you  persist  further,  I  doubt  not 
but  two  swords  can  be  found  about  the  fort  that 
will  determine  the  matter  between  us.  I  have  no 
fear  as  to  the  result;  you  were  in  Paris  at  the 
time  I  vanquished  the  Comte  de  Miron.  I  do 
not  believe  you  to  be  a  better  swordsman  than 
he." 

The  Chevalier  stared  in  astonishment  at  this 
speech.  He  muttered  at  the  close,  "  Parbleu  !  I 
recollect.  You  killed  the  Comte  de  Miron ! " 
Then  suddenly  his  face  changed.  The  flush  of 


350  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

anger  died  away,  and,  rising  slowly,  he  approached 
Tonti. 

"Capitaine  Tonti,  you  have  shown  me  my 
fault,"  he  said  humbly.  "  I  have  a  thousand 
pardons  to  beg  of  you  for  my  conduct  since  my 
arrival.  Your  attitude  in  everything  has  been 
commendable.  Your  last  alternative  has  no  force 
with  me.  A  brave  foe  demands  one's  admiration. 
That  you  are  brave  I  well  know.  A  generous 
enemy  commands  one's  respect.  That  you  are 
generous  you  have  shown  by  the  destruction  of 
my  written  promise.  Let  us  be  rivals  no  longer; 
may  we  not  be  friends  ?  "  And  with  an  engaging 
smile  the  young  man  thrust  forth  his  hand  impul 
sively.  His  voice  rang  true,  and  Tonti  grasped 
the  proffered  evidence  of  good-will. 

"  Let  us  rule  here  conjointly,"  continued  Bau- 
gis,  "  you  as  the  representative  of  La  Salle  and 
the  active  commander;  I  as  the  representative 
of  the  King,  commander  only  in  name,  for  I  find 
I  have  much  to  learn  before  I  can  take  over  the 
full  responsibility.  And  as  for  your  faithful 
friends,"  turning  to  Pompon  and  Boisrondet, 
"  their  zeal  in  their  superior's  cause  is  worthy  of 
my  thanks.  God  grant  I  find  such  faithful  ones 
always  around  me." 

Tonti  was  about  to  reply  when  a  sound  of 
shouting  was  heard  in  the  yard  of  the  fort  and  he 
heard  his  name  called.  Soon  the  sound  of  run- 


Harmony  out  of  Discord  351 

ning  steps  was  heard  shuffling  over  the  hard 
ground,  the  voices  came  nearer,  the  door  burst 
open,  and  the  figure  of  a  young  chief  darted  into 
the  room.  Blood  streamed  down  his  breast  from 
a  fearful  wound,  wjiile  a  gash  across  his  head 
showed  that  he  had  been  scalped.  He  stopped 
before  Tonti  an  instant.  "  The  Iroquois  ! "  he 
cried.  Having  delivered  his  message,  he  swayed, 
fell  to  the  floor,  and  after  one  convulsive  shudder 
lay  still. 


Chapter    Twenty-Six 

CONTAINS  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ATTACK  ON 
THE  FORT,  AND  HOW  POMPON  REDEEMED 
HIS  PLEDGE 

THE  news  brought  by  the  wounded  In 
dian  was  indeed  true.  The  crafty  Iro- 
quois,  learning  of  the  efforts  of  La  Salle  to 
centralize  the  French  and  Indian  power  of  the  West 
in  one  large  settlement,  defended  by  a  stronghold 
that  would  be  impregnable  to  future  attacks,  had 
resolved  on  striking  one  quick  decisive  blow  be 
fore  the  colony  had  become  thoroughly  established. 
By  rapid,  secret  marches  they  had  advanced  to  a 
point  within  a  dozen  leagues  of  the  river,  and 
there  had  awaited  a  suitable  moment  for  attack. 
One  of  their  number,  an  Illini  youth,  made 
prisoner  in  their  previous  raid  and  adopted  by  his 
captors,  was  sent  as  a  spy  to  mingle  with  his 
former  clansmen.  He  had  reported  to  them  the 
absence  of  a  considerable  force  on  a  hunting  ex 
pedition  to  the  westward  ;  the  rivalry  and  ill-feel 
ing  between  Tonti  and  the  Chevalier,  and  the 
sense  of  security  that  seemed  to  fill  the  minds 
of  all  the  allies.  They  determined  upon  an  im- 

352 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge        353 

mediate  advance,  after  sending  their  spy  back  to 
mingle  again  with  the  unsuspecting  victims,  and 
render  what  assistance  he  could  at  the  assault  upon 
the  fort  which  would  have  to  be  taken.  A  young 
Miami,  wandering  to  the  east  on  the  trail  of  a 
bear,  had  been  suddenly  surrounded,  scalped,  and 
left  for  dead.  He  had  revived,  and  managed,  de 
spite  his  wounds,  to  reach  the  fort  ahead  of  the 
approaching  enemy. 

Tonti  immediately  sounded  the  alarm.  The 
fort  was  manned  by  all  the  soldiers  and  a  few  In 
dians,  among  whom  was  the  Iroquois  spy  ;  mes 
sengers  were  sent  to  recall  the  hunting  party  ;  the 
women  and  children  were  all  taken  to  an  island  near 
the  further  side  of  the  river.  A  barricade  was 
hastily  erected  some  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
fort ;  scouts  were  dispatched  to  learn  the  position 
of  the  enemy.  Thus  the  remainder  of  the  night 
was  spent.  The  light  of  the  burning  lodges  of 
those  tribes  situated  farthest  from  the  fort  was 
seen,  indicating  that  the  Iroquois  were  advancing. 
Day  dawned,  and  the  scouts  returning  announced 
that  the  enemy  were  about  two  thousand  strong, 
and  lay  in  ambush  less  than  a  mile  away.  They 
reported  that  the  expedition  seemed  to  be  led  by 
a  white  chief  called  "  Le  Loup."  Tonti  and 
Pompon  exchanged  glances  on  hearing  this.  "  Ma 
foil  mon  ami"  said  the  first,  "shall  we  not  give 
my  former  host  a  warm  welcome  ?  " 


354  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  As  hot  as  fire  can  make  it,"  exclaimed 
Pompon. 

"  Nay,  nay,"  replied  Tonti,  "  not  so  fierce. 
Although  he  has  turned  savage,  we  have  not. 
If  he  can  only  be  captured,  I  shall  take  great 
pleasure  in  forcing  a  sword  into  his  hands  and 
giving  him  two  seconds  in  which  to  place  himself 
en  garde." 

"  Two  seconds  too  long,"  muttered  Pompon, 
between  his  teeth.  "  If  I  ever  get  hold  of  him  I 
can  promise  you  I  shall  never  let  go  until  one 
or  both  of  us  are  dead." 

Work  on  the  barricade,  which  was  semi-circular 
in  shape,  went  rapidly  on  during  the  day.  Tonti 
had  expected  to  take  command  of  this  portion  of 
his  force  himself,  but  the  Chevalier  interposed, 
"  Pray  give  me  the  post,  as  a  token  of  our  recon 
ciliation,  and  to  afford  me  an  opportunity  of 
proving  my  qualities  as  a  soldier.  You  can  best 
direct  the  whole  defence  from  the  fort ;  besides,  I 
think  you  are  needed  there." 

Tonti  reluctantly  consented.  He  ordered  a 
succession  of  brush-heaps  to  be  prepared  between 
the  fort  and  the  barricade  so  that  if  the  attack 
came  at  night,  as  it  probably  would,  the  light  from 
them  would  aid  the  defenders.  He  went  about 
among  his  Indian  allies,  assigning  them  positions 
and  encouraging  them.  There  was  evident  need 
of  this  latter  work,  for  he  found  that  the  hostile 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge       355 

approach  of  the  Iroquois  had  brought  back  mem 
ories  of  past  raids,  and  that  the  old  terror  of  the 
hated  name  had  been  awakened.  The  French 
soldiers,  being  more  accustomed  to  righting  with 
long  range  weapons,  were  kept  to  guard  the  fort. 
The  remaining  whites,  the  priests,  Renee,  and  the 
nuns  were  also  among  those  on  the  top  of  the 
rock.  They  prepared  quarters  for  the  wounded, 
and  made  all  ready  to  attend  those  whom  the  com 
ing  fight  would  render  fit  subjects  for  their  care. 

The  sounds  of  preparation  had  ceased.  All 
was  in  readiness.  Every  eye  of  the  defenders  was 
strained  through  the  gathering  twilight  to  catch 
sight  of  the  first  signs  of  attack.  The  sun  had 

o  o 

set  in  a  cloudy  sea  of  blood,  a  fact  that  was  noted 
by  the  Indians  with  an  ominous  shake  of  the 
head.  From  across  the  river  came  the  evening 
pipings  of  drowsy  birds.  A  whip-poor-will  was 
heard  to  call ;  a  chorus  of  frogs  added  their  deep 
bass-note  to  the  even-song  of  nature.  Suddenly 
a  savage  yell  was  heard,  answered  by  another 
from  the  tree  shade  facing  the  barricade.  In  an 
instant  the  quiet  scene  was  changed.  A  thousand 
dusky  figures  leaped  from  their  hiding-places  and 
rushed  across  the  clearing.  A  thousand  arms 
brandished  gun  or  battle-axe.  A  thousand  throats 
poured  forth  a  volume  of  demoniac  sound.  Hell 
was  broken  loose  ;  the  battle  was  on. 

An  answering  yell  came  from  behind  the  barri- 


356  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

cade,  whose  red-skinned  defenders  danced  up  and 
down  working  themselves  into  a  frenzy  to  meet 
the  coming  hand-to-hand  conflict.  The  Chevalier 
had  given  orders  to  the  front  row  of  his  force, 
who  were  armed  with  guns,  not  to  fire  until  the 
enemy  had  come  within  ten  feet  of  them.  This 
order  was  obeyed,  and  the  invading  line  had  al 
most  reached  the  barricade  before  a  shot  was  fired. 
The  Iroquois,  loath  enough  to  attack  a  fortified 
place,  were  evidently  surprised  at  the  number  of 
guns  in  possession  of  the  besieged.  Many  of 
them  dropped  before  the  fire.  The  rest  hastily 
retreated  and  stopped  at  the  edge  of  the  clearing, 
contenting  themselves  with  yells  and  an  occasional 
shot  fired  at  random.  Suddenly  the  report  of 
the  little  cannon  from  the  summit  of  the  fort  was 
heard,  and  a  ball  crashed  into  their  midst  as  they 
stood  congregated  together. 

Reinforced  by  others  from  the  interior  of  the 
woods,  they  prepared  for  another  advance.  This 
time,  instead  of  rushing  directly  in  one  solid  line, 
they  separated,  running  a  few  steps  and  then 
suddenly  crouching  down  close  to  the  ground. 
The  barricade  was  finally  reached,  and  after  wait 
ing  to  receive  its  fire,  they  precipitated  themselves 
upon  it  before  its  defenders  could  load  again.  The 
brush-heaps  were  ignited,  and  their  light  served  to 
render  the  foe  more  easily  distinguishable.  The 
Chevalier  was  seemingly  at  every  spot  along  the 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge       357 

line  at  once,  cheering  his  allies  and  ably  directing 
the  defence.  At  this  moment,  however,  just  as 
the  tide  seemed  about  to  turn  against  the  attack 
ing  force,  the  dreaded  Iroquois  yell  was  heard 
from  the  river  at  the  rear  of  the  defenders.  Ter 
ror  seized  them,  believing  themselves  to  be  sur 
rounded  by  the  enemy,  and  despite  all  the  efforts 
of  Baugis  to  rally  them  they  fled  southward  along 
the  river's  edge.  A  score  of  wily  Iroquois  had 
entered  the  river  above,  and  swimming  noiselessly 
down  until  they  were  well  past  the  fort,  had 
landed  and  approached  the  besieged  from  the  rear, 
making  as  much  noise  as  possible,  hoping  to  be 
able  to  deceive  them  into  thinking  that  a  large 
force  was  behind  them.  They  succeeded  admi 
rably,  and  soon  the  entire  space  about  the  base  of 
the  fort  was  one  mass  of  ferocious  hostile  faces. 

Tonti  in  the  meantime  had  directed  the  fire 
both  of  the  cannon  and  the  guns  of  his  men  to 
the  best  advantage.  The  young  Indian  he  had 
posted  to  watch  the  river  for  any  approach  from 
that  direction  had  reported  nothing,  and  was 
nowhere  to  be  found  when  the  yells  of  the 
small  Iroquois  band  proclaimed  the  success  of 
their  undertaking.  He  saw  with  tears  of  rage 
in  his  eyes  the  retreat  of  the  allies  under  Baugis. 
There  was  no  time  to  afford  him  aid,  as  the  fort 
was  surrounded  before  he  could  order  a  portion 
of  his  men  to  their  assistance.  As  has  been 


358  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

stated,  the  rock  was  absolutely  inaccessible  from 
three  sides,  so  the  whole  attention  of  both  the 
attacking  party  and  the  defenders  of  the  fort  was 
directed  towards  the  remaining  side.  The  ap 
proach  here  was  by  a  zigzag  path,  less  than  four 
feet  in  width,  fashioned  out  of  the  rock.  Up  this 
path  the  savages  swarmed,  only  to  be  shot  down 
or  crushed  by  stones  let  drop  from  the  walls 
above.  The  number  of  Iroquois,  however,  was 
so  great  that  no  sooner  did  one  fall  than  another 
took  his  place.  Some,  holding  the  body  of  a 
dead  comrade  upon  their  backs,  crept,  thus  pro 
tected,  nearer  to  the  gateway  at  the  top  of  the 
path. 

Tonti  was  surprised  in  not  seeing  Miron  any 
where,  for  he  had  sufficient  knowledge  of  Indian 
warfare  to  recognize  his  directing  hand  in  the 
mode  of  attack,  so  different  from  the  methods 
usually  employed  by  the  savages.  Pompon,  with 
eye  alert  to  catch  sight  of  the  villain's  face,  moved 
rapidly  about  the  enclosure,  finding  time  occasion 
ally  to  run  back  to  the  lodge  where  the  nuns  and 
Renee  were,  to  assure  her  of  Tonti's  safety  and 
report  the  progress  of  the  defence.  He  always 
returned,  however,  to  Tonti's  elbow,  aiding  him 
in  the  carrying  out  of  their  efforts  to  repulse  the 
horde  slowly  climbing  the  pathway,  a  painful  fact 
made  evident  by  the  glare  of  the  blazing  brush- 
fires. 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge       359 

The  side  of  the  fort  towards  the  river  being 
furthest  from  these  fires  was  in  comparative  dark 
ness.  The  shade  was  not  so  deep,  however,  as  to 
prevent  an  observer,  had  he  been  present,  from 
seeing  the  figure  of  the  young  Iroquois  spy  slip 
out  from  a  place  of  concealment,  and,  mounting 
the  platform,  peer  anxiously  over  the  edge  into 
the  river  below.  In  answer  to  some  signal  he 
stooped,  and  picking  up  a  long  object,  fastened 
one  end  about  the  flagstaff  on  the  platform  and 
threw  the  other  into  the  river.  He  waited  until 
he  heard  a  splash,  then,  mounting  over  the  edge 
of  the  palisade,  he  disappeared.  He  had  procured 
a  strong  vine  rope  and  thus  effected  his  escape. 

He  had  been  gone  but  a  short  time,  when  a 
sound  as  of  some  one  ascending  the  rope  could 
have  been  heard,  and  soon  a  hand  touched  the 
top  and  the  half-naked  figure  of  a  man  appeared. 
He  cautiously  gained  the  shadow  and  rapidly 
approached  one  after  another  of  the  small  build 
ings  in  the  enclosure,  listening  at  each  one  before 
passing  on  to  the  next.  At  length  he  came  to 
the  one  in  which  the  nuns  and  Renee  were  anx 
iously  awaiting  the  outcome  of  the  fight.  The 
nuns  were  praying,  while  Renee,  with  rosary  in 
hand,  sat  beside  the  burning  pine  knot,  listening 
for  every  sound.  Pompon  had  just  left  her. 
She  strove  to  concentrate  her  mind  upon  the 
beads  in  her  hand.  She  looked  down.  A  noise 


360  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

at  the  door  aroused  her.  Perhaps  it  was  Pom 
pon  returning  with  bad  news  !  She  gave  a  shriek 
of  terror.  The  door  had  opened  and  the  Comte 
de  Miron,  in  all  the  ferocity  of  his  Iroquois  war 
paint,  with  a  knife  held  between  his  teeth,  stood 
before  her. 

The  nuns  on  seeing  this  terrible  apparition 
ran  to  the  farthest  corner.  Miron  approached 
Renee  before  she  could  overcome  her  terror  suffi 
ciently  to  move,  snatched  up  the  light,  applied  it 
to  the  bark  wall  of  the  lodge,  which  quickly 
ignited,  seized  Renee  in  his  arms  and  was  gone. 

The  battle  still  raged  furiously  for  the  posses 
sion  of  the  gate.  Already  had  the  line  of  crawl 
ing,  climbing  devils  almost  gained  the  top  of  the 
path.  The  situation  was  desperate.  The  young 
Sieur  de  Boisrondet  approached  at  a  signal  from 
Tonti.  "  Tell  the  men  if  the  gate  is  gained  and 
forced  we  must  make  a  last  stand  just  within  the 
entrance.  We  can  do  nothing  if  these  fiends 
once  really  enter  the  yard." 

The  young  man  saluted  and  then  in  a  hesitat 
ing  tone,  said:  "  M.  le  Capitaine  will  not  be 
offended  if  a  subordinate  were  to  make  a  sugges- 

OD 

tion  ?  It  is  only  our  great  extremity  that  leads 
me  to  speak." 

"  Non,  certainement"  replied  Tonti.  cc  Speak 
up  and  let  us  know  what  you  have  in  mind." 

"You  will  remember  some  time  ago  you  placed 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge       361 

in  my  care  the  work  of  excavating  a  new  maga 
zine  in  which  to  store  our  powder?  " 

"  Yes." 

"Well,  as  M.  le  Capitaine  left  the  entire  task 
to  me,  the  choice  of  situation  as  well  as  the  over 
sight  of  the  excavation,  —  " 

"  Go  on,"  cried  Tonti  impatiently,  as  the  yells 
of  the  savages  rose  louder  than  before,  indicating 
that  an  advance  had  been  made. 

"  I  thought  it  might  be  a  good  plan  sometime 
to  have  a  mine  laid  ready  to  be  exploded  —  " 

"So  you  —  " 

"  I  made  the  excavation  so  that  it  would  lie 
just  beneath  the  outside  path  some  score  of  feet 
from  the  top." 

"  Sangue  di  Dio  !  "  cried  Tonti  joyously,  as  the 
idea  of  the  young  man  flashed  into  his  mind. 
"  We  are  saved.  You  mean  to  fire  the  magazine 
beneath  their  very  feet,  and  make  an  opening  in 
the  path  they  can  never  cross  ?  " 

"  That  was  my  thought,"  replied  the  young 
man  modestly,  flushing  with  pleasure  as  he  saw 
his  leader  approved  it.  "  The  powder  has  not 
been  stored  there  yet,  but  can  be  in  a  very  few 
moments." 

"Take  three  men  with  you,"  ordered  Tonti, 
"  and  place  half  of  all  our  stock  of  powder  in  the 
new  magazine,  and  arrange  so  that  it  can  be  ex 
ploded  on  a  given  signal." 


362  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

"  In  twenty  minutes  it  shall  be  ready,"  replied 
the  youth,  and  hastened  away  to  carry  out  the 
command. 

"  Hold  out  for  a  half-hour  longer  and  we  shall 
blow  these  devils  to  perdition,"  shouted  Pompon 
in  the  ears  of  the  line  of  men  defending  the  pass. 
A  cheer  was  the  response.  Soon  the  young  Sieur 
de  Boisrondet  returned.  "  It  is  accomplished," 
he  reported  with  a  smile. 

Just  then  a  strange  lull  in  the  confused  sounds 
of  the  combat  occurred.  It  lasted  but  a  few 
seconds  ;  but  during  that  silence  there  came  to  the 
ears  of  the  men  the  sound  of  a  woman's  scream 
from  the  interior  ot  the  fort  yard.  Both  Tonti 
and  Pompon  recognized  the  voice  and  turned 
together.  The  light  of  the  burning  building  was 
seen,  and  they  started  at  a  rapid  pace,  Tonti 
shouting  to  the  Sieur  de  Boisrondet  to  take  com 
mand  until  his  return.  More  agile  than  his 
friend,  nerved  to  action  by  the  fear  in  his  heart 
for  Renee's  safety,  he  gained  the  other  side  of 
the  fort  first.  By  the  light  of  the  blazing  lodge 
he  beheld  his  enemy  ascending  the  platform 
bearing  in  his  arms  the  form  of  his  beloved. 
With  a  cry  he  sprang  after  him.  Miron  heard 
his  voice,  and,  having  gained  the  top,  turned  to 
meet  his  foe.  Tonti  felt  for  his  pistol  that  he 
had  placed  in  his  belt  but  found  that  it  had 
dropped  out  in  his  hasty  progress.  Nothing 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge       363 

daunted,  without  a  weapon,  he  rushed  up  the 
little  ladder  and  grappled  with  his  enemy. 
Miron  dropped  Renee  to  the  platform  and  re 
ceived  Tonti  with  a  smile  of  savage  joy,  brand 
ishing  his  knife.  Tonti  struck  the  arm  holding 
the  weapon  a  furious  blow  with  his  iron  hand,  to 
force  him  to  drop  it,  and  seized  his  throat  with 
the  other. 

Miron  still  retained  his  knife  and  Tonti  by 
the  fast  increasing  light  saw  the  blade  descend, 
and  felt  as  it  were  a  red-hot  iron  plunged  into  his 
shoulder.  Again  it  fell,  this  time  into  his  back. 
A  blackness  fell  suddenly  before  his  eyes.  His 
hold  upon  the  throat  of  his  adversary  loosened, 
a  roaring  filled  his  ears,  followed  by  a  great 
explosion  which  seemed  to  shake  the  platform  on 
which  they  stood,  and  he  fell  back  and  knew  no 
more. 

Miron  did  not  stop,  but  throwing  his  knife 
aside,  stooped  down  and  gathered  Renee,  who 
called  loudly  for  help,  within  his  arms  again. 
He  approached  the  palisade  and  had  already 
made  preparations  for  his  descent  when  he  saw 
Pompon  appear  upon  the  rampart.  With  an 
oath  he  drew  back,  and  putting  Renee  down  once 
more,  made  ready  to  receive  this  new  attack. 
Neither  of  the  men  had  a  weapon,  but  each 
sprang  at  the  other's  throat  like  some  ferocious 
animal ;  they  clinched  and  struggled  to  and  fro  ; 


364  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

neither  was  able  to  throttle  the  other,  so  evenly 
was  their  strength  matched.  Renee,  with  stream 
ing  hair  and  terror-stricken  eyes,  dragged  herself 
towards  the  motionless  form  of  Tonti  out  of  the 
way  of  the  combatants,  who  swayed  from  side  to 
side  in  their  desperate  efforts.  Now  Miron  has 
the  advantage  as  he  strives  to  trip  his  adversary  ; 
but  Pompon,  quick  and  agile,  recovers  his  footing, 
and  the  struggle  is  renewed  on  equal  terms. 
Backward  they  rush,  and  Miron  barely  saves  him 
self  from  falling  from  the  platform  into  the  yard 
of  the  fort  by  a  desperate  wrench.  They  turn 
and  twist  and  turn  again.  The  rough  planks 
beneath  their  feet  creak  under  their  tread  :  the 
whole  structure  vibrates  with  the  violence  of  the 
fight. 

At  length  Pompon's  strength  began  to  fail,  and 
he  felt  the  grip  on  his  throat  tighten,  while  his 
own  slowly  relaxed.  They  were  alone ;  the  din 
of  battle,  the  shouts  of  the  French,  and  the  war- 
cries  of  the  Indians,  reached  his  ears  from  the 
other  side  of  the  fort.  There  was  no  aid  near. 
He  could  not  maintain  the  struggle  longer.  He 
glanced  at  Renee,  crouching  helpless  and  terrified 
beside  his  wounded  friend,  and  a  look  of  high 
resolve  came  into  his  eye  that  made  his  ugly 
scarred  countenance  glow  with  the  beauty  of  a 
noble  purpose,  a  look  his  antagonist  saw  and 
dreaded.  Renee  met  his  glance  and  understood. 


Pompon  Redeems  his  Pledge       365 

With  the  cry,  "  Adieuy  mon  Capitaine  !  "  he  forced 
his  foe  back  by  one  supreme  effort.  Another  step 
toward  the  outer  edge  is  made,  and  a  grim  smile  of 
satisfaction  appears  upon  his  face.  One  more  — 
Miron's  foot  slipped  in  a  pool  of  Tonti's  blood  ; 
he  strove  desperately  to  regain  his  balance  and 
failed  ;  and  the  two  men  locked  fast  in  a  savage 
embrace  swayed  to  and  fro  an  instant,  then 
plunged  headlong  over  the  edge  of  the  palisade, 
and  fell,  down,  down,  through  the  blackness  of 
the  night,  and  disappeared  beneath  the  dark  sur 
face  of  the  swiftly  moving  stream  at  the  foot  of 
the  cliff. 


Chapter   Twenty-Seven 

THE  END  IS  REACHED,  AND  TONTI  COMES 
INTO  HIS  OWN 

WEEK  after  week  of  suffering  followed 
for  Tonti.  The  desperate  nature  of 
his  wounds  sent  the  fever  mounting  to 
his  brain,  and  he  tossed  wearily  about,  righting 
against  numberless  foes,  living  over  again  many 
of  the  events  through  which  he  had  passed  during 
the  last  two  years.  In  all  his  battles  did  the 
lowering  sinister  face  of  Miron  appear ;  through 
all  the  scenes  did  the  form  of  Renee  flit,  ever 
with  her  eyes  fixed  upon  him,  at  times  glad  and 
laughing,  now  sad  and  reproachful,  and  again  with 
the  love-light  born  of  a  deep  and  noble  passion 
shining  through  them.  At  times  the  figure  of 
La  Salle  approached  and  looked  reprovingly  at 
him.  Then  did  Tonti  break  forth  in  his  own 
defence.  "Ah!  mon  ami"  he  would  murmur, 
"  did  you  but  know  the  task  your  friendship 
imposed ;  did  you  but  realize  the  heavy  load 
your  confession  of  your  love  for  Renee,  my 
Renee,  laid  upon  me,  you  would  not  hold  me 
worthy  of  reproof.  Could  you  but  have  seen  my 

366 


Tonti  Comes  into  his  Own         367 

struggle,  daily,  hourly,  to  trample  down  the  love 
that  had  sprung  into  existence  at  the  same  time 
as  your  own,  to  maintain  the  honor  of  my  word, 
to  uphold  that  faithfulness  to  you  that  I  knew 
was  the  only  thing  I  had  to  offer  to  her  memory, 
you  would  have  pitied  me." 

Again  his  other  friend  stood  beside  him  and 
he  appealed  to  him:  " Mon  cher  Pompon,"  he 
cried,  "  you  know  the  temptation  I  was  subject 
to.  You  must  know,  for  you  were  with  us ;  you 
heard  with  me  the  music  in  her  voice,  more 
delightful  than  the  harmonies  of  many  birds. 
You  heard  her  step,  lighter  than  the  soft  summer 
wind  blowing  over  the  Sicilian  fields.  You  saw 
the  warmth  in  her  cheek,  how  it  was  ruddier  than 
the  distant  glow  of  Vesuvius  against  the  sky  at 
night.  You  felt  the  grace  and  charm  of  her 
presence,  pure  as  that  of  an  angel  fresh  from  the 
throne  of  God,  sweet  as  the  memory  of  childish 
days,  when  one  fell  asleep  with  the  melody  of  a 
mother's  voice  soothing  one's  ears.  Yes,  you 
know  it  all,  for  you  were  there.  You  know  I 
triumphed,  but  at  what  a  cost :  to  have  one's 
heart's  blood  squeezed  out  drop  by  drop,  and 
yet  unable  to  do  aught  but  smile  at  each  fresh 
pain." 

At  times  he  fancied  himself  ill  and  in  great 
anguish.  Then  would  the  figure  of  Renee,  robed 
as  she  had  been  while  waiting  upon  the  sick,  come 


368  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  put  to  his  lips  a  refreshing  draught  or  lay 
her  soothing  hand  upon  his  feverish  head.  At 
the  touch  a  delicious  feeling  of  coolness  suffused 
itself  throughout  his  frame,  and  peace  and  restful- 
ness  would  come.  By  and  by  he  would  dream 
he  awakened  and  saw  Renee  sitting  near,  with 
his  hand  resting  lightly  in  her  palm.  He  knew 
it  was  but  a  dream  and  did  not  stir  lest  it  should 
vanish  and  be  replaced  by  one  less  pleasing. 
Once  the  figure  leaned  over  him  and  touched  his 
forehead  with  her  lips.  One  day  as  he  lay  still 
watching  the  dream-figure  beside  him,  his  vision 
cleared  and  he  knew  he  was  awake.  He  flushed 
lightly  and  withdrew  his  hand,  and  Renee  realized 
that  her  patient  had  regained  consciousness. 

He  soon  slept,  this  time  not  to  dream,  but  to 
gather  strength.  Thus  did  he  sleep  and  waken 
day  by  day.  Each  awakening,  thanks  to  the 
effect  of  the  ointment  Renee  had  found  in 
Pompon's  bag,  brought  a  feeling  of  renewed  vigor 
and  a  sharper  bound  to  his  pulse  that  sent  the 
life  stream  quickening  to  every  part.  Whenever 
he  roused  himself  he  saw  the  same  patient  figure 
of  her  whom  he  loved,  watching,  praying  beside 
him.  She  would  not  let  him  talk,  but  ere  long 
admitted  the  Chevalier  and  Boisrondet.  Their 
hearty  clasp  of  the  hand  and  cheering  words  urged 
on  his  convalescence.  They  told  him  little  by 
little  of  the  events  of  that  awful  night.  How, 


Tonti  Comes  into  his  Own         369 

after  his  leaving  the  gate,  the  Indians  had  advanced 
along  the  path  with  a  rush,  and  Boisrondet  had, 
on  his  own  responsibility,  fired  the  mine,  which 
sound  had  been  the  last  his  ears  had  heard  when 
he  sank  beneath  the  murderous  hand  of  Miron. 
How  the  chasm  formed  by  this  explosion  had 
prevented  any  further  attack  upon  the  fort. 
How  Baugis  had  finally  rallied  his  forces,  and, 
approaching  the  Iroquois  from  the  rear,  had  made 
a  strong  onslaught,  just  as  they  recoiled  from  the 
exploded  mine,  and  slaughtered  many,  driving 
some  into  the  river  and  putting  the  rest  to  flight, 
pursuing  them  for  eight  days,  until  the  hosts  that 
had  assailed  so  boldly  were  reduced  to  a  few 
struggling  bands  that  slunk  despairingly  home 
ward.  In  answer  to  an  inquiring  look  they  told 
him  that  Miron  was  dead  and  that  Pompon  had 
gone  on  a  journey. 

Lazily  he  watched  his  nurse  as  she  moved 
about  the  room,  half  regretting  his  daily  increas 
ing  strength  that  warned  him  of  a  coming  time 
when  he  would  no  longer  need  her  assistance  and 
would  lose  the  delight  of  having  her  near  him. 
But  he  shrank  from  contemplating  that  event, 
knowing  that  the  taking  up  of  their  separate 
duties  once  more  would  tax  his  powers  to  the 
full.  Then  came  the  days  when,  propped  up  in 
a  chair,  he  sat  in  the  doorway  and  enjoyed  the 
bright  October  sunshine,  while  the  Indian  chiefs 

34 


37°  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

and  soldiers  came  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 
commander  they  loved.  One  afternoon  after  he 
had  been  able  to  stand  and  take  a  few  steps  he 
was  told  by  Renee  of  Pompon's  end.  Of  the 
sacrifice  that  he  had  made  for  her  and  him. 
How  the  bodies  of  the  two  men  had  been  found 
floating  a  few  miles  below  the  fort  still  clasped 
in  their  fierce  embrace.  How  the  Indians  had 
stolen  the  body  of  the  Comte  and  burned  it 
amidst  execrations  and  maledictions.  How  she 
had  requested  the  Chevalier  to  have  a  grave  dug 
for  Pompon  out  of  the  rock  within  the  enclos 
ure  of  the  fort,  close  to  the  scene  of  his  death 
struggle. 

Tonti's  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  he  realized  that 
his  friend,  having  guessed  his  love  for  Renee, 
had  given  his  life  that  she  might  remain  to  him. 
Together  (he,  pale  and  weak,  leaning  on  the 
arm  of  his  nurse,  she  patiently  accommodating 
her  healthful  gait  to  his  trembling  steps)  they 
visited  the  spot.  Tonti  ordered  cut  upon  the 
cross  that  marked  the  place  where  his  friend 
lay  the  words  "  Faithful  unto  death,"  and  told 
Renee  of  the  fateful  sentence  uttered  by  Pompon 
as  the  three  drank  their  last  toast  in  the  little 
cabin  of  the  "  Saint  Honore." 

One  afternoon  when  the  deep  blue  haze  of  the 
delayed  Indian  summer  hung  over  the  distant 
hills,  they  ascended  the  little  look-out  platform 


Tonti  Comes  into  his  Own         371 

that  had  been  the  scene  of  the  fatal  combat. 
Renee,  after  seeing  that  her  patient  was  comfort 
ably  propped  against  the  flagstaff,  sat  down  be 
side  him.  Below  them  lay  the  Indian  lodges, 
busy  with  life  and  activity.  All  vestiges  of  the 
attack  had  been  removed  and  new  bark  houses 
had  arisen  on  the  ashes  of  the  old.  The  sun's 
rays  touched  the  tops  of  the  distant  camps,  half 
hidden  in  the  trees,  now  gaudy  in  their  multi 
colored  autumn  foliage.  Far  up  the  river  Tonti 
beheld  a  solitary  canoe,  urged  onward  by  some 
sinewy  arm.  He  thought  of  the  day  when  his 
arm,  now  weak  and  shrunken,  had  sent  his  bark 
flying  over  the  water  to  greet  Renee  on  her  first 
arrival,  and  his  mind  went  back  over  all  the  hap 
penings  since  they  had  first  met,  and  he  marvelled 
as  he  thought  of  the  strange  interweaving  of  their 
lives.  A  feeling  of  sadness  surged  through  his 
breast  as  he  realized  the  fruitlessness  of  it  all  ; 
that  only  disappointment  and  a  resigned  sorrow 
were  left  them. 

The  Chevalier  de  Baugis  approached.  "  Bon 
jour,  mon  ami"  he  cried.  "  It  does  my  eyes  good 
to  see  you  able  to  be  about  visiting  the  scenes  of 
your  past  glories.  Now  that  you  are  stronger,  I 
have  brought  a  letter  for  you  from  La  Salle, 
received  whilst  you  were  wandering  in  the  land  of 
dreams."  So  saying,  he  handed  the  missive  to 
Tonti  and  was  gone. 


372  A    Rose  of  Normandy 

"  Are  you  sure  you  are  welt  enough  to  take  up 
such  matters  ?  "  anxiously  queried  Renee. 

"  Certainement  !  However,  only  with  permis 
sion  of  my  physician,"  he  replied  smilingly. 

Her  consent  gained,  Tonti  broke  the  seal  and 
passed  his  eyes  over  the  pages.  From  them  he 
learned  that  La  Salle  had  been  obliged  to  re 
turn  to  France  for  means  whereby  to  satisfy  his 
creditors.  He  also  read  numerous  plans  and 
instructions  in  regard  to  the  colony,  but  the 
closing  sentences  burned  before  his  eyes  in  letters 
of  fire  :  "  There  is  one  matter  about  which  I  have 
had  much  anxiety,  and  that  is  the  exposed  posi 
tion  of  Mademoiselle  d'Outrelaise  amid  the  hard 
ships  of  the  frontier  life.  I  feel  in  a  great  measure 
responsible  for  her  being  there.  She,  undoubt 
edly,  when  obliged  to  flee  from  France,  turned 
toward  the  Western  World  where  I  was  for  pro 
tection,  while  I,  recreant  that  I  was,  found  myself 
unable  to  meet  her  and  tell  her  —  the  truth.  Yes, 
mon  ami,  her  bright  eyes  were  alluring  whilst  I 
stood  in  the  full  blaze  of  the  glory  of  the  court 
or  the  delicious  serenity  of  Choisy  Mademoiselle, 
and  they  indeed  stirred  what  little  portion  of 
my  heart  there  remained  unfilled  by  ambitious 
schemes,  and  I  thought  I  loved  her.  But  once 
the  smell  of  the  forest  and  the  stream  greeted 
me  I  realized  that  I  had  no  room  in  my  life  for 
woman's  love,  sweet  and  precious  though  it  might 


Tonti  Comes  into  his  Own         373 

be  to  some,  but  that  I  was  destined  for  great 
achievements;  deeds  of  conquest  and  discovery; 
deeds  wrought  out  in  the  solitude  of  the  wilder 
ness  or  about  the  council  fires  of  a  treacherous 
foe.  For  such  a  one  there  can  be  no  home,  no 
domestic  ties.  My  heart  goes  out  in  pity  for  her, 
although  it  does  not  throb  with  love.  I  trust 
she  will  find  some  one  better  able  to  make  her 
happy  than  I,  for  she  is  certainly  everything  that 
is  good  and  estimable.  Were  your  affections 
not  already  engaged  in  another  direction  I  could 
not  wish  you  a  greater  blessing  than  that  you 
yourself  might  win  her." 

Tonti's  hand  trembled  ;  a  faintness  came  over 
him  as  he  realized  the  full  import  of  the 
message. 

"  Have  you  bad  news  ?  "  asked  Renee,  as  she 
noticed  his  agitation. 

"  The  only  news  worth  living  for,"  was  Tonti's 
reply.  He  tried  to  speak  further,  but  his  lips 
were  dumb.  He  who  through  so  many  days 
had  schooled  his  tongue  to  silence,  whose  full 
strength  had  been  needed  to  keep  back  in  fierce 
repression  the  thousand  loving  words  that  came 
rushing  to  his  lips,  found  when  the  time  came 
and  the  seal  was  removed  that  the  springs  of  his 
eloquence  were  dry.  He  looked  into  her  eyes, 
those  eyes  that  had  greeted  him  in  maidenly 
confusion  from  the  depths  of  the  sedan-chair; 


374  A  R°se  of  Normandy 

that  had  furtively  followed  him  throughout 
their  later  wanderings  with  a  look  of  secret 
yearning ;  those  eyes  that  had  gazed  upon  him 
in  pity  throughout  his  suffering  and  that  he 
now  surprised  filled  with  an  ineffable  tender 
ness.  And  in  his  look  she  read  the  meaning 
of  his  words  ;  knew  that  in  some  way  the  bar 
rier  had  been  broken  down.  He  seized  her 
unresisting  hand,  and  at  the  touch  his  speech 
found  utterance. 

"  Renee,  my  beloved,"  he  whispered  gently, 
"  I  am  free  at  last  to  speak  and  show  you  all 
that  is  in  my  heart :  the  hopes,  the  yearnings, 
the  striving  for  better  things,  the  struggle  against 
unworthy  deeds,  and,  best  and  greatest  of  all, 
invading  and  surrounding  aught  else,  filling  my 
heart  and  brain  and  life  — my  love  for  you.  To 
tell  you  of  its  beginning,  kindled  by  the  sight  of 
your  beauty,  the  touch  of  your  trembling  hand, 
of  its  growth  and  persistence  despite  my  efforts 
to  forget  when  I  found  I  could  not  proceed 
further  without  dishonor.  How  greatly  it  was 
intensified  when  I  discovered  you  in  this  wild 
land,  alone,  helpless,  and  in  danger ;  when  I  saw 
your  courage  and  strength  mount  to  meet  occa 
sion  ;  when  I  beheld  you,  a  gentle  ministering 
spirit,  and  felt  the  sweet  comfort  of  your  tender 
pitying  service.  To  tell  you  all  will  take  a  life 
time.  Ah  !  mia  cara^  let  me  hear  from  your  lips 


Tonti  Comes  into  his  Own        375 

what  your  blushes,  your  glance,  the  pressure  of 
your  hand  tell  me  already." 

"  I  love  you,"  murmured  Renee ;  then,  as 
though  the  sound  of  her  own  words  gave  her 
courage,  she  raised  her  eyes  to  his  and  went  on 
more  boldly  :  "  I  love  you,  my  true,  brave  knight, 
and  have  ever  since  the  days  of  our  earliest  meet 
ing.  It  was  for  you  I  wept  the  bitter  tears  at 
your  departure  ;  for  you  I  made  this  flag  above 
us,  although,  perforce,  I  handed  it  to  your  friend. 
It  was  for  love  of  you,  when  obliged  to  leave 
France,  that  I  braved  the  wild  seas  and  unknown 
land.  For  love  of  you  my  heart  well-nigh  broke 
when  I  thought  you  unworthy ;  for  you  it  beat 
afresh  when  I  knew  you  true.  Do  not  think, 
my  love,  that  I  have  not  seen  your  trial  and 
struggle.  It  has  been  my  joy,  understanding  all, 
to  watch  how  fine  and  noble  was  the  strife,  how 
complete  the  victory.  I  would  not  have  had  you 
false  to  La  Salle,  for  in  keeping  faith  with  him 
did  you  honor  me.  Nor  need  you  tell  me  of 
your  love,  for  I  have  heard  it  already.  Through 
the  long,  dark  watches  have  I  listened  to  your 
pleadings,  to  your  praise.  Night  after  night  have 
I  heard  your  dear  voice  continuously  murmuring 
my  name ;  hour  after  hour  have  I  spent  in  learn 
ing  what  your  ideal  was,  and  oh  !  my  lover,  how 
bitter  has  been  the  realization  of  how  far  short  I 
come  of  being  that  which  you  believe  me  to  be." 


376  *A  Rose  of  Normandy 

The  solitary  canoe  that  Tonti  had  watched 
drew  near  to  the  landing.  Its  occupant  disem 
barked  and  approached  the  fort.  A  few  mo 
ments  later  the  boyish  voice  of  the  Sieur  de 
Boisrondet  rang  across  the  yard : 

"  Capitaine  Tonti !  A  messenger  from  Que 
bec  ! "  as  he  quickly  approached  the  lovers  on 
the  rampart.  "A  messenger  from  Quebec,  bring 
ing  dispatches  !  One  is  for  you  personally.  I 
thought  I  would  bring  it  at  once.  Those  per 
taining  to  official  business  the  Chevalier  will  dis 
cuss  with  you  later." 

Tonti  recognized  the  scrawling  ^writing  of 
Frontenac  on  the  outside  of  the  large  oblong 
package.  He  opened  it,  and  out  fell  a  docu 
ment  bearing  the  royal  seal.  With  it  was  a 
letter  that  read  as  follows : 

"  MON  CHER  TONTI,  —  I  have  good  news  for  you. 
Colbert  is  dead.  The  King,  no  longer  under  his  in 
fluence,  hastens  to  make  amends  for  your  father's  cruel 
treatment  and  to  reward  your  bold  endeavors  for  him  in 
the  wilds  of  New  France.  I  send  you  the  royal  com 
mission  granting  you  unlimited  rights  to  trade,  and  ap 
pointing  you  commander-in-chief  of  all  the  forces  of  the 
King  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  together  with  the  powers 
of  Governor  (shared  in  by  La  Salle)  of  all  additions  to 
the  royal  domain  that  by  right  of  settlement  or  explora 
tion  you  may  acquire.  You  are  to  receive  a  salary  of 
five  thousand  livres.  On  the  other  hand,  if  you  prefer 


Tonti  Comes  into  his  Own         377 

to  return  to  France,  Louis  has  promised  me  to  create  you 
a  Comte  and  transfer  to  you  the  possessions  that  your 
enemy  Miron  fell  heir  to  two  months  ago  by  the  death 
of  an  uncle,  and  which  have  been  declared  forfeited  to 
the  crown.  My  affairs  are  again  hopeful  and  I  expect 
ere  long  to  be  returned  to  Quebec.  Should  you  ever 
by  any  chance  meet  with  the  fair  donn'ee,  convey  to  her 
my  best  desires  and  give  her  for  me  —  a  fatherly  kiss. 

"  LOUIS    DE    BUADE, 

"  Comte  de  Frontenac" 

Tonti's  mind  ran  rapidly  over  the  situation ; 
to  return  meant  wealth,  honor,  the  King's  favor, 
and  all  that  he  had  thought  when  there  worth 
striving  for.  To  remain  meant  the  giving  up  of 
the  glittering  vanity  and  polluted  pleasures  of  the 
court,  while  there  would  abide  with  him  the  bold, 
free  existence  that  he  now  loved ;  the  life  work 
before  him  of  building  up  the  noble  fabric  of  a 
new  realm  ;  —  and  Renee,  she  for  whom  he  would 
have  turned  aside  the  proffered  riches  and  honors 
of  the  world  and  thought  it  cheap. 

He  handed  the  letter  to  her  to  read  and 
watched  her  face  with  a  smile  of  loving  tender 
ness.  She  finished  and  looked  up.  "Your 
choice,  my  lord  !  "  she  demanded.  For  answer, 
Tonti  gently  drew  her  to  him,  and  murmuring, 
"There  is  but  one,"  fulfilled  to  his  own  satis 
faction  the  last  request  of  Frontenac. 

He  then  pulled  at  a  cord  fastened  about  his 


378  A  Rose  of  Normandy 

neck  and  drew  forth  a  small,  flat  object  wrapped 
carefully  in  oiled  silk.  He  undid  it  before 
Renee's  wondering  eyes  and  showed  her  —  a 
tiny  bit  of  lace,  a  handkerchief  crumpled  and 
with  a  torn  border,  while  clear  and  distinct  as 
when  he  first  examined  it  standing  on  the  street 
of  Paris  stood  forth  the  embroidered  letter  "  R." 
She  blushed  with  pleasure  as  she  recognized  it, 
and  saw  him  carry  it  reverently  to  his  lips,  mur 
muring  :  "  Renee,  my  Rose  !  " 

The  wind  was  hushed  ;  a  silence  fell  upon  the 
town ;  the  faint  rippling  of  the  distant  water  was 
scarcely  heard ;  the  golden  lilies  from  the  sum 
mit  of  the  flagstaff  looked  lovingly  down  upon 
these  two  worthy  children  of  France ;  the  slant 
ing  rays  of  the  fast  disappearing  sun  bathed  them 
in  its  glorious  light.  Two  storm-tossed  barks 
had  gained  their  haven  ;  they  had  at  last  found 
anchorage  within  the  harbor  of  Peace. 


After-Word 

x^^^^O  love  ardently,  to  fight  bravely,  to  die  game,  — 
m  these  attributes  have  been  held  in  high  esteem  by 
_M  all  nations,  in  all  climes,  since  history  began.  But 
we,  the  children  of  To-day,  are  apt  to  feel  ourselves  superior 
to  the  men  of  past  centuries,  believing  that  in  our  age  the 
higher  qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  of  noble  sacrifice,  self- 
restraint,  and  suffering  patiently  endured,  have  caused  the 
flower  of  modern  character  to  blossom  forth  in  beauty  such  as 
past  centuries  but  seldom  saw.  It  is  to  raise  a  question  as  to 
the  correctness  of  this  view  that  the  Author  has  endeavored 
to  emphasize  the  fact  that  all  the  men  of  the  old  time  were 
not  merely  men  of  action,  men  of  great  vainglorious  ideas,  of 
tempestuous  natures,  swashbuckling  soldiers  of  fortune,  game 
sters  trying  odds  with  Fate,  but  were  in  very  truth  men  of 
like  passions  with  ourselves ;  beset  with  like  temptations  and 
trials;  with  the  power  of  circumstances  also  continually  forc 
ing  them  down  stream.  Many  there  were  who,  according 
to  their  lights,  bravely  battled  with  great  odds  and  forced 
their  way  against  the  current  toward  noble  ideals  and  ends, 
emerging  at  last  victorious,  not  'only  masters  of  men,  but 
masters  of  themselves.  Such  were  many  of  those  rare  hearts 
who,  uncouth  in  speech,  of  homely  visage,  plain  and  simple  in 
their  mode  of  life,  laid  for  us  the  foundations  of  our  national 
greatness  and  honor.  To  them  we  indeed  owe  much.  Let 
us  each  one  pay  to  their  name  and  memory  a  passing  thought 
of  admiration  and  respect. 


Little,  Brown,  &  Co.'s 

Popular  Editions  of 
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1.  TRUTH  DEXTER.     By  SIDNEY  McCALi..      72d 

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2.  FROM    KINGDOM   TO  COLONY.     By  MARY 

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A  story  of  the  quaint  old  town  of  Marblehead  in  the  early  days  of  the  Revo 
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two  continents. 
"  It  excels  in  interest  Anthony  Hope's  best  effort,"  said  the  Boston  Herald. 

4.  WHITE   APRONS.      A    Romance   of    Bacon's 
Rebellion,    Virginia,    1676.     By    MAUD    WILDER 
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7.  WITHOUT    DOGMA.      By    HENRYK   SIENKIE- 
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8.  A   DETACHED   PIRATE.  The    Romance   of 
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10.  A  DAUGHTER  OF  NEW  FRANCE.     With 
some  account  of  the    Gallant  Sieur  Cadillac  and 
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ture  that  was  in  the  air.  —  Brooklyn  Eagle. 

11.  THE  LOVE-LETTERS  OF  THE  KING;  or, 

The  Life  Romantic.  By  RICHARD  LE  GALLIENNE. 
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12.  WITH   FIRE   AND    SWORD.      By  HENRYK 

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ETTA  G.  ROWE.     With  frontispiece  by  Ellen  W. 
Ahrens.     12mo.     75  cents. 

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with  the  sure  touch  of  the  observer  at  first  hand.  Her  characters  have 
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Providence  Journal. 


14.  UP  AND  DOWN  THE  SANDS  OF  GOLD. 

By  MARY  DEVEREUX,  author  of  "  From  Kingdom 
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Cloth,  75  cents. 

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from  whom  it  is  hard  to  part.  —  Boston  Transcript. 

15.  THE    KING'S    HENCHMAN.      A    Chronicle 
of  the  Sixteenth  Century.       By  WILLIAM  HENRY 
JOHNSON,    author    of    "King   or    Knave,"    " The 
World's    Discoverers,"    etc.       12mo.       Cloth,    75 
cents. 

What  is  more  noticeable  than  the  interest  of  the  story  itself  is  Mr.  John 
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of  romanticism.  —  Boston  Herald. 

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Express,  New  York. 

16.  WHEN    THE    GATES    LIFT    UP    THEIR 
HEADS.      A  Story  of  the  South  in  the  Seventies. 
By  PAYNE  ERSKINE.     12mo.     Cloth,  75  cents. 

A  strong  and  interesting  novel,  wholly  American  in  scene  and  spirit,  and 
with  a  purpose  which  is  not  revealed  until  the  end,  and  then  in  dramatic 
and  humanly  convincing  scenes.  — New  York  Mail  and  Express. 
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drawing  in  this  book  is  admirably  done,  and  the  dialect  work  as  well  as  the 
descriptions  are  of  excellent  quality.  The  story  shows  unusual  ability. 
—  Boston  Budget. 


Little,  Brown,  &  Co.,  Publishers 

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